HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Members: Allowances

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what allowances were available to hon. Members in each Session since 1983-84; what conditions were imposed on payments made under each such allowance in each Session; what the maximum amount claimable by an hon. Member under each such allowance was in each Session; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: A number of allowances have been available to Members since 1983-84. Information about these allowances, including the levels Members could claim, is published in regular House of Commons Library Research papers. These are available in the Library.
	Allowances have included the additional costs allowance (now personal additional accommodation expenditure), office costs allowance (renamed the incidental expenses provision and then administrative and office expenditure), travel allowances and the communications allowance (now communications expenditure). Each allowance has been put in place to assist Members in carrying out their parliamentary duties and was approved by Resolution of the House.
	The conditions relating to each of the allowances have been published in the Green Book, the first edition of which was published in 1987. These are available in the Library. Prior to 1987, Members were able to ask for advice from the then Fees Office. No records exist of the conditions imposed at this time.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate has been made of the number of vacancies for  (a) flood risk engineers,  (b) flood risk planners,  (c) flood risk project managers and  (d) other flood risk management posts in local authorities.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have been asked to reply.
	We have not specifically sought to estimate the number of vacancies with local authorities relating to flood risk. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in association with the Local Government Association, conducted a survey of all local authorities in autumn 2008 to make an initial assessment of existing local authority capacity and expertise. The survey revealed some encouraging evidence of existing levels of capacity that could be built upon and also identified that this was not a consistent picture across all authorities. The survey also confirmed that additional capacity would be required to take on proposed new duties from the Pitt Review and that recruitment difficulties and the availability particularly of technical skills would need to be addressed.
	The survey asked local authorities how easy it was for them to recruit the technical staff they needed. 59 per cent. said this did not apply or they did not know, which could be interpreted as meaning that they were not recruiting or had not tried recently. 27 per cent. reported having some difficultly. The main reasons given for recruitment difficulties were a lack of suitably qualified applicants (77.8 per cent. of authorities had experienced difficulties), applicants lacking relevant experience (68.1 per cent.), and inadequate pay (63.9 per cent.). Other commonly cited reasons were competition from private sector employers (47.2 per cent.), competition from other local authorities (44.4 per cent.) and competition from other public sector employers (31.9 per cent.).
	The findings of the survey together with three workshops with local authorities have informed work on developing capacity for local authorities on flood risk management. DEFRA is currently undertaking a scoping study on broad local authority capacity building options and this will report in July 2009. We are also working closely with the Environment Agency, Local Government Association and relevant sector skills councils to develop skills availability in the wider market place and links to education.

Housing: Insulation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) lofts and  (b) cavities were insulated through the Decent Homes programme in each of the last three years.

John Healey: At the end of each financial year local authorities complete statistical returns on the number of dwellings that have received insulation measures but these figures are not broken down by type.
	
		
			   Number of local authority dwellings receiving insulation works by year 
			 2005-06 89,817 
			 2006-07 81,563 
			 2007-08 64,984 
			  Source: Data from the Business Plan Statistical Appendix. 
		
	
	The Department does not collect data on insulation works by registered social landlords.

TRANSPORT

Blue Badge Scheme

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis are eligible to participate in the Blue Badge parking scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: In order to qualify for a Blue Badge a person needs to meet one of the eligibility criteria prescribed in the regulations that govern the Blue Badge Scheme.
	One of the key criteria to qualify for a badge under these regulations is that a person has a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. People diagnosed with myasthenia gravis will therefore only be eligible for a badge if their walking ability is affected to the required extent, or if they meet one of the automatic eligibility criteria, such as being in receipt of the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance.

Crossrail Line: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport in what year he estimates his Department's proportion of funding for Crossrail will be fully drawn down.

Paul Clark: holding answer 8 June 2009
	Crossrail is due to commence operations in 2017, and the Department for Transport's committed funding contribution to Crossrail will be fully drawn down in 2016.

Driving Tests: Essex

Simon Burns: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the average waiting time was for a driving test for applicants in  (a) West Chelmsford constituency and  (b) Essex in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Paul Clark: holding answer 8 June 2009
	The information is as follows:
	 (a) The average waiting time in weeks for a driving test in the West Chelmsford constituency in each of the last five years was:
	
		
			   Bike  Car  Voc( 1) 
			  Chelmsford
			 2004-05 4.3 13.4 5.7 
			 2005-06 3.9 9.4 3.5 
			 2006-07 4.1 7.7 1.7 
			 2007-08 4.3 6.6 1.8 
			 2008-09 6.0 6.7 1.4 
		
	
	 (b) The average waiting time for a driving test at each test centre in Essex in each of the last five years was:
	
		
			   Bike  Car  Voc( 1) 
			  Essex
			 2004-05 4.1 10.9 5.7 
			 2005-06 3.2 8.3 2.5 
			 2006-07 3.4 6.6 1.7 
			 2007-08 3.2 5.9 1.8 
			 2008-09 4.6 7.2 1.4 
			 (1) Voc = Lorry/Bus.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what funding will be provided for Highways Agency major road schemes in  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11,  (c) 2011-12,  (d) 2012-13 and  (e) 2013-14; and what such schemes will be funded in each of those years.

Paul Clark: holding answer 8 June 2009
	I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon), on 15 January 2009,  Official Report, column 355, and to the Department for Transport's publication "British Transport Infrastructure Motorway and Major Trunk Roads" copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House. It is also available on the Department's website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/policy/motorways
	The publication sets out a programme of investment on national major road schemes of up to £6 billion for the period up to 2015 and which will be carried out by the Highways Agency. The schemes are listed in the publication.
	The funding is in addition to the £3 billion allocated to strategic regional roads before 2015-16 through the Regional Funding Allocation process. Regions have recently provided an updated programme of priorities and spend on these and we are currently considering their advice. Decisions are expected in the summer.
	For 2009-10 the Highways Agency has an indicative budget of £0.9 billion for capital expenditure on national and regional major road schemes. Budgets for future years will be settled annually and will depend on decisions and progress made on individual schemes.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Finance

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the cost  (a) in total,  (b) per head and  (c) per job of each of her Department's employment programmes in (i) pilot and (ii) full form in each year from 2008 to 2015.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the relevant planned expenditure for the financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11 inclusive. Figures for 2008-09 represent estimated outturn—actual expenditure will be published in the Departmental Report later this year. Estimates have not been made beyond the current Spending Review period, so no figures are available for years from 2011 to 2015. Information per head and per job is not available.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Estimated outturn  Budgets 
			  Programme  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Support for long-term unemployed 553 845 1,214 
			 Additional support at six months — 145 216 
			 Young persons guarantee and future jobs fund — 250 838 
			 Lone parents and families 30 34 63 
			 Support for disabled people 512 533 567 
			 Other employment programmes 207 184 202 
			 Total 1,302 1,991 3,099 
			  Notes: 1. Other Employment programmes covers categories of provision with local or skills drivers. 2. 2008-09 estimated outturn is subject to audit.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 572-74W, on Jobcentre Plus: recruitment, how many of the 6,000 extra staff to be recruited by Jobcentre Plus will be working as personal advisers; and how many of these will be recruited on  (a) part-time and  (b) temporary contracts.

Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many of the 6,000 extra staff to be recruited by Jobcentre Plus will be working as personal advisers; and how many of these will be recruited on (a) part-time and (b) temporary contracts. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	In line with the recent Budget announcements, Jobcentre Plus will be able to recruit up to 10,000 more staff. This is on top of the 6,000 new staff already announced in pre-Budget report. From October 2008 until the end of April 2009 Jobcentre Plus has recruited over 6,000 new staff.
	All of these new people will be employed on customer-facing services. More than half of these will be personal advisers with the rest in customer intervention and support roles within our customer service operations.
	It is not possible to estimate at this stage how many recruits will be part-time but it is envisaged that most of them will be recruited into fixed term appointments.
	In addition to external recruits, we aim to absorb some surplus people from other Government Departments on a permanent basis.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what her most recent estimate is of the level of benefit fraud.

Jim Knight: The latest DWP estimates of fraud are contained in the DWP publication "Fraud and Error in the Benefit System October 2007 to September 2008", copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

Social Security Benefits: Myasthenia Gravis

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to which benefits those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis are entitled; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Myasthenia gravis does not, in its own right, confer or deny entitlement to any benefit. People diagnosed with myasthenia gravis are entitled to the full range of benefits as long as they fulfil that particular benefit's entitlement conditions.

Unemployed: Social Security Benefits

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to her Department's press release of 12 January 2009 on guaranteed extra help for people unemployed for six months, how much and what proportion of the £0.5 billion required to fund the package will be provided by her Department.

Jim Knight: The pre-Budget report made available to DWP an additional £1.3 billion of funding which will ensure that over the next two years, through Jobcentre Plus and our private and voluntary providers, we not only maintain, but increase, the support we offer.
	The proposals announced on 12 January 2009 pledged £0.5 billion over two years from April 2009 to guarantee more support to people unemployed for six months or more by providing incentives for firms to hire, access to help in setting up a business, extra funding for training and opportunities for work-focused volunteering.
	The costs attributable to the elements sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions are estimated at around £400 million over the next two years, with the costs attributable to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills estimated at around £83 million. Of the £400 million, HM Treasury released an additional £295 million and the Department will fund the remainder from efficiencies and the Department's VAT windfall.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

1 Carlton Gardens

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects negotiations with the Crown Estates Commissioners on his Department's lease on 1 Carlton Gardens to be completed.

Chris Bryant: We expect negotiations to be completed by December 2009.

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have been (i) disciplined and (ii) dismissed for (A) breaches of data protection requirements and (B) inappropriate use of personal or sensitive data in the last 12 months.

Chris Bryant: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of the Government. The Security Policy Framework and the Data Handling Report produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handle and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
	In line with Cabinet Office guidance details are not provided to avoid revealing the identity of individuals and on the grounds of confidentiality.

G8

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Italian counterpart on when  (a) the agenda and  (b) supporting papers for the G8 Summit in July 2009 will become available.

Chris Bryant: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the agenda for the 2009 G8 summit with Prime Minister Berlusconi during his visit to Rome on 19 February 2009.
	The G8 presidency is responsible for hosting and organising preparatory meetings in the lead up to the summit and also the circulation of summit-related papers. In advance of the summit, the Italian presidency has hosted several preparatory meetings, details of which are available at:
	www.g8italia2009.it
	We are not expecting the summit agenda and summit statements to be finalised until nearer the time of the G8 summit.

Middle East: Politics and Government

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2009,  Official Report, column 381W, to which organisations in Israel and Palestine his Department has provided support for promoting women's roles in political processes; how much financial support each has received; and what other kinds of support his Department has provided.

Caroline Flint: In 2008-09, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provided £7,050 for a project implemented by the Itach Maaki, a women's legal rights centre in the Negev.
	Between 2005 and 2007, the FCO also spent £329,600 (from the Global Opportunities Fund) on a project run by the Civic Forum Institute to train newly elected women in Palestinian local councils.

Somali: Piracy

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on steps to disrupt and dismantle pirate bases on the Somali coast; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK seeks to deter, disrupt and suppress pirate activity on the high seas through participation in two international counter piracy operations, Operation ATALANTA and Combined Task Force 151. We are also working with international partners through the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia on military coordination, with the shipping industry, Somali information strategies, and regional capability development.
	It is clear, however, that the solution to Somali piracy lies on land. The UK is engaging with partners to tackle the root causes of piracy, particularly instability and insecurity in Somalia, through the provision of humanitarian, security and development assistance. We will continue to work with regional partners and the wider international community on building regional capabilities to combat effectively all aspects of piracy.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the detention of Dr S. T. Rajah, T. Sathiyamoorthy and V. Shanmugarajah in Sri Lanka; and if he will make representations on their detention to his Sri Lankan counterpart.

David Miliband: We are aware of the reports of the detention of these three doctors and are following their case closely. I discussed this with Foreign Minister Bollegama on 5 June 2009 and our high commissioner to Colombo has made representations to the Sri Lankan Government on their behalf.

JUSTICE

Cabinet: Glasgow

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Jack Straw: I attended the regional Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009. £132—for my return travel by train from Oxenholme Station to Glasgow Central station. There was no further departmental expenditure by the Ministry of Justice in relation to the meeting.

Commonhold

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many commonhold residential developments in  (a) England and  (b) Wales have been recorded by the Land Registry since commonhold ownership was introduced.

Michael Wills: Land Registry's records show that, as of 3 June 2009, there were
	 (a) 12 commonhold residential developments comprising 97 units, of which 79 units have been registered in the name of individual unit holders in England; and
	 (b) one commonhold residential development, comprising 30 units, of which 18 units have been registered in the name of individual unit holders in Wales.

Crimes of Violence: Sentencing

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of those offenders sentenced for violence against the person or sexual offences received  (a) a custodial sentence and  (b) a non-custodial sentence or other disposal in each of the last two years.

Jack Straw: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number and percentage of offenders sentenced for violence against the person or sexual offences receiving custodial and non-custodial sentences, 2000-07 
			   2008  2007 
			   Offenders  Percentage of offenders  Offenders  Percentage of offenders 
			  Violence against the person 
			  Custodial sentences: 
			 Immediate custody 12,354 29.5 12,535 29.8 
			 Suspended sentence 5,569 13.3 7,167 17.0 
			  
			 Non-custodial sentences 23,982 57.2 22,377 53.2 
			  
			 Total number sentenced 41,906 100 42,079 100 
			  
			  Sexual offences 
			  Custodial sentences: 
			 Immediate custody 2,808 569 2.810 55.6 
			 Suspended sentence 296 60 439 8.7 
			 Non-custodial sentences 1,828 37.1 1,805 35.7 
			  
			 Total number sentenced 4,932 100 5,054 100 
			  Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. 2. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	These figures can all be found in table 1.2 of Sentencing Statistics 2007 available at the following link:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/sentencingannual.htm
	These data are based on the principal offence. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence it is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed, where the same sentence has been imposed for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many notifications his Department made to the Information Commissioner in the year ended 30 April 2009 in respect of the loss or mishandling of personal information or data; what was notified in each such case; and how many individuals were the subjects of personal information or data in respect of which such notifications were made.

Michael Wills: In the year ending 30 April 2009 the Ministry of Justice formally reported two personal data related incidents to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
	In each instance the ICO was notified of the circumstances of the incident, the number of people affected, the nature of the data involved and the investigations being undertaken.
	The number of individuals potentially affected by the two incidents were 89 and 1,500.

Departmental Responsibilities

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what activities his Department determines fall within the definition of developing policies for the purposes of administering the policy development grant.

Michael Wills: Under the terms of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), policy development grants are intended to assist registered political parties (i.e. those who have at least two Members of the House of Commons who have made and subscribed the parliamentary oath) with the development of policies for inclusion in any election manifesto for relevant elections. The administration of the policy development grant scheme is a matter for the Electoral Commission, not the Government. The Commission has a duty to keep under review the terms of the scheme and make recommendations to the Secretary of State for change as it considers appropriate.

Elections: Proof of Identity

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what timetable his Department has established for introducing the requirement for signatures for the issuing of ballot papers in polling stations.

Michael Wills: The Government continue to consider how this measure could most effectively be implemented, including timing issues. We will need to ensure that any approach to this issue is aligned with other reforms to the registration and electoral processes.

Firearms: Sentencing

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2009,  Official Report, column 620W, on firearms: sentencing, how many people were convicted for firearms offences for which a mandatory minimum sentence was applicable in each year since 2004.

Jack Straw: The available information is shown as follows. The table shows the number of persons, aged over 18 at the point of sentencing, sentenced for firearms offences for which the mandatory minimum is applicable. The number of offenders sentenced has been supplied in lieu of the number convicted. Lags in time between conviction and sentencing mean that the numbers convicted and sentenced in a year will not always match. Offenders aged under 18 at the time of the offence are not eligible for the five-year mandatory minimum, while the table shows offenders aged over 18 at the point of sentence they may have been under 18 when the offence was committed in which case the five-year minimum would not have been applicable.
	
		
			  Persons sentenced for firearms offences liable for five years minimum custodial sentence as prescribed by the Criminal Justice Act 2003( 1) , 2004-07 
			   Number of persons sentenced for whom mandatory minimum may apply( 2) 
			 2004(3) 687 
			 2005 353 
			 2006 266 
			 2007 248 
			 (1) Offences under Firearms Act 1968 of possessing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition, or possessing or distributing firearms disguised as other object.  (2) Only offenders aged over 18 at the point of sentencing have been included. Five years is the mandatory minimum for persons aged over 18 at time of offence and for offences taking place after 26 January 2004.  (3) The mandatory minimum is only applicable for offences that occurred on or after 26 January 2004. Many of the persons dealt with in 2004 will have committed their offences prior to the mandatory minimum sentences being introduced.   Notes:  1. The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offences elected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.  2. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.   Source:  OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice. 
		
	
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 prescribed mandatory minimum custodial sentences for the offences of: possessing or distributing prohibited firearms or ammunition and possessing or distributing firearms disguised as other objects where the offences were committed on or after 26 January 2004.
	The minimum sentence it set was three years where the offender was aged between 16 and 18 at the time of the offence and five years for offenders aged over 18 at the time of the offence.
	Data held by the Ministry of Justice cannot determine the date the offence took place or the age of the offender at the time of the offence rather it is the date the sentence was passed and the age of the offender at the time of sentencing that is held. It is not possible to separately identify those cases that occurred prior to 26 January 2004.

Judiciary: Sick Leave

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many members of the judiciary have been  (a) suspended on full pay and  (b) on sick pay for over 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: There is one member of the judiciary that has been suspended on full pay and four on sick pay for over 12 months.

Land Registry: Complaints

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 24 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 969-70W, on the Land Registry: complaints, what consideration he has given to extending the remit of the Office of the Independent Complaints Reviewer to complaints relating to errors made by local Land Registry offices.

Michael Wills: Further to my answer on 24 April 2009,  Official Report, columns 969-70W, the Government do not believe there is a need to extend the remit of the Office of the Independent Complaints Reviewer (ICR).
	The ICR's current remit is wide ranging and includes the ability to investigate complaints about any error made by the Land Registry, whether procedural or substantive. As set out in my previous answer, the exception to this is where a complainant refers to a decision on land registration not related to maladministration, such as delay or loss, where the decision can only be considered judicially. For example, where an error created a substantive right for a third party, such as an incorrect name being entered as a registered proprietor of a property leading to the individual named becoming the legal owner of the property, this would require alteration of the register by either the Court or the Registrar, exercising the powers conferred on them by schedule 4 of the Land Registration Act 2002.

Land Registry: Complaints

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints have been received by  (a) HM Land Registry and  (b) local Land Registry offices regarding (i) land registration decisions and (ii) the way in which land registration decisions were reached in each of the last three years.

Michael Wills: 30 complaints relating to land registration decisions were received by Land Registry head office in the year from April 2008 to March 2009, and 163 were received by local Land Registry offices in the same period. The data available do not differentiate between land registration decisions and the way in which decisions were reached.
	Land Registry's customer complaints categorisation changed in April 2008. In previous years complaints relating to Land Registry decisions and the way they were reached would have been logged under two separate categories, which were "errors on registration made by HMLR", and "contentious business". Therefore the figures for 2006-07 and 2007-08 given as follows include other complaints.
	
		
			   (a) Head office  (b) Local 
			  Contentious Business   
			 2006-07 3 136 
			 2007-08 8 114 
			
			  Errors on Registration by HMLR   
			 2006-07 0 245 
			 2007-08 0 258

Land Registry: Complaints

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many judicial reviews resulted from complaints relating to errors made by local Land Registry offices in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Michael Wills: According to Land Registry records, there was one judicial review case following complaints relating to errors made by Land Registry offices in the period from April 2008 to March 2009. This case has not yet been concluded.

Magistrates

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent steps have been taken to increase the number of magistrates.

Jack Straw: No steps are being undertaken to increase the number of magistrates. Recruitment is being undertaken only to maintain levels to those forecast and to manage the workload.
	Requirements for numbers on the bench are determined locally taking into account projected retirements, possible resignations, average sitting days, bench make-up, local workload data, resources and the use of District Judges (magistrates courts).

Parkhurst Prison

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department has taken in response to the recent report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on HM Prison Parkhurst.

Jack Straw: As with all HM chief inspector of prisons reports an action plan responding to each of the recommendations in the report will be submitted to Ministers and the chief inspector.
	Steps are being taken to address the prison's poor industrial relations and deliver an agenda for change, focusing on the improved treatment of offenders. Work is under way to make Parkhurst a safer and more decent environment, with a new safer custody group overseeing initiatives covering suicide prevention, violence reduction and diversity, including the treatment of disabled prisoners.

Parole

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases the Parole Board considered in 2007-08; how many and what proportion of offenders in such cases were granted oral hearings; and how many such offenders were granted parole.

Jack Straw: In 2007-08 the Parole Board considered a total of 31,172 cases. 8 per cent. were considered by oral hearing, which equates to 2,072 cases. Of those a total of 16 per cent. of offenders were recommended for release.

Prisons

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how long on average elapsed between prisoners' cells being unlocked in the morning and prisoners being returned to their cells in the evening in each month of the last two years.

Jack Straw: The figures requested are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Monthly average time unlocked 
			   Hours per prisoner per day 
			  2007  
			 April 10.20 
			 May 10.16 
			 June 10.19 
			 July 10.27 
			 August 10.08 
			 September 10.21 
			 October 10.21 
			 November 10.19 
			 December 10.08 
			   
			  2008  
			 January 10.15 
			 February 10.20 
			 March 10.13 
			 April 9.79 
			 May 9.65 
			 June 9.73 
			 July 9.58 
			 August 9.46 
			 September 9.57 
			 October 9.59 
			 November 9.56 
			 December 9.32 
			   
			  2009  
			 January 9.57 
			 February 9.50 
			 March 9.52 
			  Note: The methodology for recording time unlocked for week days was revised for the financial year 2008-09, resulting in a marginal reduction in the reported figures from April 2008 onwards.

Prisons: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisons in London he has visited since 2007.

Jack Straw: I have visited a number of prisons, probation areas and courts during my time as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. Since June 2007, I have visited four of the nine establishments in Greater London: HMP Belmarsh on 11 July 2007; HMP Wandsworth on 31 January 2008; HMP Brixton on 25 February 2008; and HMP Highdown on 19 March 2008. I am planning to visit HMP Bronzefield in the near future.

Probation

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases were referred to multi-agency public protection panels in the Probation Service in each of the last five financial years.

Jack Straw: The following table shows the total number of multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) eligible offenders living in the community in England and Wales. The table also shows the number of eligible offenders who were managed at the higher MAPPA levels and who were considered by multi-agency public protection panels. Cases are referred to level 2 where the involvement of several agencies will be required to implement or monitor the risk management plan and to level 3 where more senior oversight is additionally required. Cases can be referred by any agency but the identity of the referring agency is not recorded. These data are taken from the MAPPA Annual reports which are required of the MAPPA Responsible Authority (police, prison and probation services acting jointly) in each of the 42 areas of England and Wales.
	
		
			  England and Wales  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total MAPPA eligible offenders 39,492 44,592 47,588 48,469 50,212 
			 Level 2 (1)— 11,288 12,421 14,042 11,734 
			 Level 3 2,152 1,478 1,267 1,249 1,072 
			 (1)( )Not collected.

Probation

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many probation offices have closed in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: Information on the number of probation offices closed in each of the last five years is not held or recorded centrally. To obtain this information could be achieved only at disproportionate cost because it would entail gathering information from archived files and checking with individual probation areas.

Probation: Wales

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the effect of reductions in jobs in the probation service in the South Wales Probation Area on service delivery.

Maria Eagle: The Director of Offender Management in Wales (DOM) is responsible for ensuring that South Wales Probation Trust delivers the required services with the available resources. This is managed through an agreed contract between both parties.
	The management of the Probation Trust's resources to deliver services rests with its management team and its board members. There is a close working relationship between the DOM and the Probation Trust to achieve this, which ensures that financial planning assumptions are fully taken into account in the Probation Trust's development and delivery of services. This would involve the best value use and re-investment of resources toward front line services to ensure quality of delivery is maintained.

Restorative Justice

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have appealed against orders requiring them to take part in high-visibility community payback schemes.

Maria Eagle: There have been no appeals against community or suspended sentence orders on the grounds that offenders are required to undertake their community payback sentences on high visibility work projects.

Suicide

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received in support of decriminalising the offence of assisting suicide; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Between 14 January 2009, when the Coroners and Justice Bill was introduced, and 4 June 2009, we received 177 letters, directly or through their Members of Parliament, from people who support decriminalising the offence of assisting suicide in certain circumstances and had one meeting with the chief executive of the Dignity in Dying organisation. We also received 76 letters from people who oppose such a change in the law.

Torture: Inspections

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 31 March 2009,  Official Report, column 56WS, on Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, which bodies he has designated for the regular inspection of military barracks, training establishments and places of detention  (a) in the UK and  (b) overseas to satisfy the requirements of the Convention; and what plans he has for the designation of additional bodies.

Michael Wills: Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons inspects the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester at the invitation of the Ministry of Defence. I have asked officials from my Department to work with the Ministry of Defence to look at ways of ensuring that inspection of all other service custody within the UK is compliant with the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), and that all service custody facilities in the UK are subject to inspection by the UK National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). With regard to inspection of any places of detention overseas, the Government's position is that the UN Convention Against Torture and the OPCAT do not apply extra-territorially.
	OPCAT requires that the NPM should be functionally independent of Government. The addition of inspection bodies to the NPM will be a matter for discussion between Government and the NPM. If it is necessary to add new inspection bodies to the NPM, or if bodies within the NPM are restructured or renamed, the Government will notify Parliament accordingly.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Angling: Licensing

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was collected in fees for  (a) junior concession,  (b) senior concession,  (c) disabled concession and  (d) full season rod licences in each year since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table indicates the amount collected for full, senior, disabled and junior rod licences issued by the Environment Agency (EA) since 1999. Prior to this, the EA used different systems to store rod licence information. Such information is, therefore, not available in the categories required.
	
		
			  Trout, coarse and salmon 
			  £ 
			   Full  Senior  Disabled  Junior 
			 1999 11,036,112.00 781,906.50 495,892.50 770,596.50 
			 2000 10,986,815.00 767,393.50 507,717.00 753,625.50 
			 2001 12,338,110.00 951,398.50 604,887.50 588,351.50 
			 2002 12,279,447.00 1,024,867.50 638,590.50 589,655.00 
			 2003 14,031,602.00 1,085,222.00 719,087.50 638,841.50 
			 2004 15,204,477.00 1,225,156.50 708,287.50 652,565.00 
			 2005 16,111,736.00 1,349,604.75 484,109.25 602,544.25 
			 2006 16,674,391.00 1,462,821.50 414,470.00 612,835.00 
			 2007 16,527,745.50 1,521,353.75 469,633.50 631,788.25 
			 2008 20,644,100.00 2,982,324.50 902,291.00 647,505.00 
			  Source: The Environment Agency's rod licence database.

Civil Service Agencies: Boats

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many ships and boats have been  (a) owned,  (b) leased and  (c) hired by or on behalf of (i) the Marine and Fisheries Agency, (ii) the Environment Agency, (iii) Natural England, (iv) the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, (v) the Sea Fisheries Committees and (vi) the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in each of the last three financial years; how many operational days each of those vessels has spent at sea at each agency's expense in that period; and what expenditure each agency incurred on purchasing, leasing and hiring such vessels in each such year.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) does not own any vessels, but it does have an agreement with the Royal Navy for the provision of ships and personnel for fishery protection duties.
	
		
			  Royal Navy Fishery Protection Vessels 
			   Class of ship  Total number of operational days at sea  Number of vessels available for use  Cost (£000) 
			 2006-07 River 620 3  
			  Hunt 225 4  
			  Total days 845 — 6,199 
			  
			 2007-08 River 609 3  
			  Hunt 187 3  
			  Total days 796 — 6,056 
			  
			 2008-09 River 700 3  
			  Hunt 0 —  
			  Total days 700 — 5,916 
		
	
	Additionally the MFA hire inshore vessels for specific fisheries enforcement work, but information on number of operational days at sea is not readily available.
	
		
			  Hire of inshore vessels 
			   £ 
			 2006-07 942.50 
			 2007-08 2,985.00 
			 2008-09 2,971.00 
		
	
	The Environment Agency (EA) currently owns 41 marine vessels to fulfil its statutory duties primarily for marine environmental monitoring and fisheries enforcement. Four of these vessels are 16 m coastal survey vessels focussing on environmental monitoring. The other vessels are smaller, ranging in size from 5-12 m, with duties differing across fisheries enforcement, flood defence inspections and harbour duties as well as environmental monitoring. The EA also hired eight vessels for data collection activities for flood and coastal risk management and marine monitoring in 2008-09 some of which is expected to continue in 2009-10. The marine vessel fleet has been subject to a detailed review over the last two years. The outcome of the review will lead to a rationalisation of this fleet from 41 to 25 vessels over the next three years to improve efficiency and increase utilisation of the remaining assets.
	The number of vessels, operational days and expenditure from 2006-09 is set out in the table:
	
		
			   Number of operational days  Expenditure (£000)  Number of vessels owned  Number of vessels hired 
			 2006-07 2,423 1,205 44 3 
			 2007-08 2,571 1,371 45 5 
			 2008-09 2,426 1,622 44 8 
			  Source: EA's Marine Monitoring and Vessel Review Project 2009 
		
	
	Natural England uses vessels for a range of activities including: site monitoring; Environmental Impact Assessment (e.g. as a result of the Napoli incident); intertidal and sub-tidal surveys (e.g. sediment and invertebrate surveys in The Wash); compliance with Health and Safety legislation and policy (e.g. diving operations); cetacean surveys (Lyme Bay); the Lundy no-take zone monitoring program (including patrols and enforcement); servicing our National Nature Reserves (NNRs); and a range of formal visits (politicians, journalists and Natural England officials) to specific sites.
	Natural England owns a number of small vessels (no ships) including:
	Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) that services Lundy Island Marine Nature Reserve;
	One mud pump, one riverboat, workboats, one traditional reed lighter, trailboats, one floating pontoon and inflatable boats which are all used to service a number of NNRs and related work on the Broads.
	In addition, the organisation owns a small number of dinghies which are used on some of their NNRs.
	The following table shows the number of vessel days from vessels either owned, leased and hired by, or on behalf of, Natural England for the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09, together with estimations of cost.
	
		
			   Owned (days)  Leased  Hired by or on behalf of  (days)  Total (days)  Cost (£) 
			 2006-07 26 n/a 33 59 24,200 
			   
			 2007-08 24 n/a 119 143 212,900 
			   
			 2008-09 24 n/a 67 91 31,730 
			   
			 Total 74 0 219 293 268,830 
		
	
	Not all the data and information requested are available. In some cases, the number of days at sea and the cost of vessel trips is often included in the set cost of the contract, so there is no specific record other than an overall cost. In addition, Natural England does not hold data on the number of individual boats that are hired over time.
	The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has neither owned nor leased any ships or boats in the last three financial years. Details of ships and boats hired by, or on behalf of, the JNCC in the last three financial years are listed in the table which includes:
	1. Vessels hired directly by JNCC;
	2. Vessels hired on JNCC's behalf by DEFRA;
	3. Vessels hired by JNCC but costs recovered from DEFRA through a memorandum of understanding between both parties.
	
		
			  Financial year  Ships hired by or on behalf of the JNCC  Number of operational days spent at sea  Expenditure incurred by hiring such vessels (£) 
			 2006-07 3 41 (1)333,600 
			 2007-08 2 30 (1)310,280 
			 2008-09 1 10 (1)111,862 
			 (1) As a consequence of the different hiring models noted above, there may be an overlap of up to £250,000 between JNCC's supplied costs and those supplied by CEFAS. 
		
	
	Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) are local authority committees, and DEFRA's role in relation to the operation of SFCs is restricted generally to the appointment of some of the members of each Committee and to the confirmation of SFC byelaws. Information supplied by the Association of Sea Fisheries Committees on behalf of the SFCs is set out as follows. Further information about the SFCs is available in their annual reports or in papers prepared for the Committees' meetings and available under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.
	
		
			   Vessels owned  Vessels leased  Operational sea days  Expenditure on purchasing (£)  Expenditure on leasing (£) 
			  Sea Fisheries Committee  06-07  07-08  08-09  06-07  07-08  08-09  06-07  07-08  08-09  06-07  07-08  08-09  06-07  07-08  08-09 
			 Cornwall 2 3 3 — — — 171 158 214 — 21,000 — — — — 
			 Cumbria 3 3 3 1 1 1 145 139 163 — — — (1)1,075 (1)1,075 (1)1,075 
			 Devon 4 4 4 — — — (2)185 (2)162 (2)156 — — — — — — 
			 Eastern 3 3 3 — — — 123 112 (3)80 — — — — — — 
			 Kent and Essex 2 2 2 — — — 159 144 156 — — — — — — 
			 Northumberland 3 3 3 — — — 120 101 118 — — — — — — 
			 North Eastern 3 3 3 — — — (2)140 (2,4)84 (2,5)117 — (5)1.5m — — — — 
			 North Western and North Wales 6 6 6 — — — (2)134 (2)68 (2)124 7,000 — 17,400 — — — 
			 South Wales 2 2 2 — — — 88 125 108 — 35,700 36,000 — — — 
			 Southern 5 5 4 — — — 129 97 106 — — — — — — 
			 Sussex 2 2 2 1 1 1 121 97 106 — — — 116,000 116,000 116,000 
			 Isles of Scilly(6) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 
			 (1) This is a secondary lease on "Solway Protector". (2) Patrol numbers which may include periods of more than one day at sea. (3) One boat is laid up following theft of engine. (4) "North Eastern Guardian II" was sold out of service mid year. (5) "North Eastern Guardian III" was commissioned in July 2008. (6) Isles of Scilly has no dedicated vessels. This Committee utilises the Islands' harbour master launches or the patrol services of the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee.  Notes: 1. No ships or boats have been hired in the period for which information was requested. 2. Enforcement at sea takes place on an intelligence led basis and in any case is subject to weather conditions. There are days when it is neither necessary nor prudent as judged against the capabilities of the ships or boats available to the Sea Fisheries Committees, to take them to sea. Theoretical availability is also lost to planned and to short notice maintenance needs as well as restricted by crew availability. Crew members may, for example, be required in court to give prosecution evidence or to do other higher priority work. 
		
	
	The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) owns and operates one 73 m sea-going research vessel the "Cefas Endeavour". The "Cefas Endeavour" is also made available to other DEFRA partners such as JNCC and Natural England to enable them to deliver their work programmes. CEFAS also hires other vessels on a charter basis. The figures provided include charters of vessels under the Fisheries Science Partnership.
	The number of vessels, operational days and expenditure is set out in the table:
	
		
			   Owned vessels  Charter vessels  
			   Number  Op. days  Number  Op. days  Expenditure (£ million) 
			 2006-07 1 258 42 411 7.0 
			 2007-08 1 275 60 678 8.9 
			 2008-09 1 273 55 684 9.2

Departmental Furniture

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on furniture by  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: From information held centrally, the core Department's financial system records the following expenditure on furniture and all related services (fitting, movement, etc.) by  (a) the Department and  (b) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years:
	
		
			  £ 
			   DEFRA  Natural England 
			 2004-05 2,712,776 0 
			 2005-06 1,596,639 0 
			 2006-07 635,811 440 
			 2007-08 1,687,043 645,611 
			 2008-09 594,067 111,395 
		
	
	Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many actions under employment law have been brought against his Department in each of the last three years; how many such actions were brought under each category of action; and how many such actions were contested by his Department at an employment tribunal.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The number of employment actions brought against the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in each of the last three years are as follows:
	2006-07: 24
	2007-08: 19
	2008-09: 11
	They were brought under the followings categories:
	 2006-07
	Unfair/wrongful dismissal: 21
	Disability discrimination: two
	Racial discrimination: one
	 2007-08
	Unfair/wrongful dismissal: 17
	Age discrimination: one
	Sex discrimination: one
	 2008-09
	Unfair/wrongful dismissal: three
	Disability discrimination: three
	Age discrimination: two
	Sex discrimination: one
	Redundancy: one
	Terms of employment: one
	The number contested by his Department at an Employment Tribunal is:
	2006-07: of 24 cases in total 16 were contested at an ET
	2007-08: of 19 cases in total five were contested at an ET
	2008-09: of 11 cases in total one was contested at an ET

Fisheries

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) experience and  (b) professional knowledge the Chairman of the sustainable access to inshore fisheries project has of the matters which fall within the project's remit; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have recently appointed Alan Riddell as the chair of the new Sustainable Access to Inshore Fisheries (SAIF) Advisory Group. Alan has a long history of leading regional development and community sustainability. These are issues which are inextricably linked to what we are trying to achieve through SAIF; a thriving and sustainable fishing industry in the future.
	Alan has no prior connections to the fishing industry and this enables him to chair the group with complete independence. This provides scope for fresh thinking and new and innovative solutions to problems which have affected the inshore fleet for a number of years. He will have access to fishing expertise both within the advisory group, which incorporates a number of fishermen and industry experts, and from outside the group in terms of access to our wide network of stakeholders.
	I look forward to working closely with him over the coming months.

Fisheries: Finance

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what budget for fisheries management his Department and its predecessor set for each year since 1997; and what proportion of the budget was spent on  (a) research,  (b) administration and  (c) enforcement in each such year.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In the following table is a summary of the annual spend for fisheries management and the proportion spent on research, enforcement and associated administration.
	Fisheries management, enforcement and associated administration is the responsibility of the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA), which was created on 1 October 2005. The figures for 2004-05 are a broad estimate from the comparative figures in the annual report and accounts.
	Research expenditure on sustainable marine fisheries and conservation of salmon and freshwater fish stocks is incurred within the DEFRA Marine Programme. In 2008-09 a further £11 million was allocated to operational science, which covered:
	stock assessment surveys;
	biological sampling;
	discard monitoring;
	fisheries science partnership; and
	management advice.
	
		
			Spend (percentage) 
			   Total spend (£ million)  Research  Enforcement  Administration 
			 2008-09 19.9 20 61 19 
			 2007-08 19.8 21 62 17 
			 2006-07 19.7 21 62 17 
			 2005-06 18.5 20 66 14 
			 2004-05 20.0 28 61 11 
		
	
	The administration figures include the totality of corporate and finance support for the MFA. It is not possible to meaningfully apportion this between the various activities of the agency.
	Information for prior years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Flood and Water Management Bill (Draft)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to publish his response to his Department's consultation on the draft Flood and Water Management Bill.

Huw Irranca-Davies: We published the draft Bill on 21 April. The public consultation period closes on 24 July and we hope that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee will be able to report on its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill before the summer recess. The Government would then intend to respond to both exercises when the House returns in the autumn.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the  (a) target completion date and  (b) actual completion date was for each major flood defence project since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the  (a) pre-construction budget and  (b) outturn cost of each major flood defence project has been since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Environment Agency's National Capital Programme Management Service has been in operation since April 2000. In the earlier years of this operation flood defence capital programmes were administered by regions which have since been superseded. Information is not therefore available for years prior to 2004-05.
	A table has been placed in the Library of the House showing the required information from 2004-05 to 2008-09.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of his Department's performance in facilitating information sharing in respect of flooding between responders through local resilience forums.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Government encourage work to facilitate the sharing of information between responders through Local Resilience Forums and looks to Category 1 and 2 responders to ensure that they fulfil their duties in this respect under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) and its regulations.
	The Government are reviewing how to improve the effectiveness of the duties under the CCA, including whether the existing information sharing duty is sufficient or should be strengthened.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress his Department has made in formulating guidance for regulators to encourage those building critical infrastructure to incorporate high levels of resilience to flooding; and when he expects such guidance to be published.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Natural Hazards Team, established in the Cabinet Office in May 2009, is working with Lead Government Departments and economic regulators to encourage resilience building by critical infrastructure owners. Guidance for regulators is expected to be published in summer 2009.

Floods: Hospitals

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of hospital buildings in high flood-risk areas; and what recent estimate he has made of the number of such buildings which are flood-resistant or resilient.

Huw Irranca-Davies: A national assessment of the number of hospitals located in areas at risk from flooding has been completed as part of the Environment Agency's recent National Flood Risk Assessment.
	As part of the Department of Health's commitment to UK resilience, the Department has completed an assessment of NHS assets to establish their vulnerability to a wide range of disruptive challenges—including flooding. This work is an on-going process as part of the civil resilience agenda under the CONTEST strategy.

Inland Waterways

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date in 2010 he expects Waterways for Tomorrow to be published; and for what reasons the document is not to be published in 2009.

Huw Irranca-Davies: We will publish the update to "Waterways for Tomorrow" when it is ready following consultation later this year. We expect this to be in early 2010, which would be appropriate as it falls 10 years after "Waterways for Tomorrow" was published in 2000.

Inland Waterways

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to publish the minutes of the Inter-departmental Group on Waterways.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In keeping with the spirit and effect of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the minutes of the Inter-Departmental Group on Waterways have been published on the DEFRA website:
	www.defra.gov.uk
	together with any related information that is key to its wider context.

Sewers: Private Sector

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's timetable is for the transfer of private drains and sewers to water company ownership; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 15 December 2008 that privately owned sewers and lateral drains in England will be transferred to water and sewerage companies from 2011. The precise timetable for the transfer will be set out in the regulations that we anticipate will be consulted on later in 2009, prior to their being presented to Parliament for approval. Once Parliament has approved these regulations, the transfer will be a statutory duty for water and sewerage companies.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for sale of alcohol to a drunk person  (a) have been brought and  (b) resulted in conviction in each criminal justice area in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 15 May 2009
	Available information on the number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the sale of alcohol to a drunk person, under section 141 of the Licensing Act 2003, by police force area, for 2006 and 2007 (latest available) is given in table 1.
	The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. For example, when a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	A Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) of £80 may also be issued by the police for certain alcohol related offences such as the sale of alcohol to a person who is drunk. The numbers of persons issued with a PND for this offence, which was added to the scheme in April 2005, by police force area, from 2005 to 2007 are shown in table 2.
	Data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the offence of sale of alcohol to a drunk person( 1) , by police force area, England and Wales, 2006 to 2007( 2,3,4) 
			   Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			  Police force area  2006  2007  2006  2007 
			 Cheshire — 1 — — 
			 Cleveland — 1 — — 
			 Devon and Cornwall — 2 — — 
			 Durham — 1 — 1 
			 Lancashire 1 — — — 
			 South Yorkshire — 2 — — 
			 Thames Valley 1 — 1 — 
			 Total 2 7 1 1 
			 (1) Under the Licensing Act 2003—section 141. (2) Only those areas for which data have been recorded are included in the table. (3) Figures given are on the principal offence basis. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) issued for sale of alcohol to a drunk person( 1)  under section 141 of the Licensing Act 2003, by police force area, England and Wales, 2005 to 2007( 1,2) 
			  Police force area  2005  2006  2007 
			 Avon and Somerset — — 1 
			 Bedfordshire — — — 
			 Cambridgeshire — 1 2 
			 Cheshire — — — 
			 City of London — — — 
			 Cleveland 1 — 4 
			 Cumbria — 6 1 
			 Derbyshire — 1 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 1 2 
			 Dorset — 1 — 
			 Durham — — — 
			 Essex — — 1 
			 Gloucestershire — — — 
			 Greater Manchester — 3 7 
			 Hampshire 1 1 3 
			 Hertfordshire — — — 
			 Humberside — — 1 
			 Kent 2 1 4 
			 Lancashire 4 4 6 
			 Leicestershire 8 2 4 
			 Lincolnshire 1 — — 
			 Merseyside — — 8 
			 Metropolitan Police 3 7 18 
			 Norfolk — — 1 
			 Northamptonshire — — — 
			 Northumbria — — 2 
			 North Yorkshire — 1 — 
			 Nottinghamshire — 1 1 
			 South Yorkshire 1 — — 
			 Staffordshire — 4 2 
			 Suffolk — — 2 
			 Surrey — 1 — 
			 Sussex 7 1 2 
			 Thames Valley — — 2 
			 Warwickshire — — — 
			 West Mercia 2 — 3 
			 West Midlands — 1 — 
			 West Yorkshire 1 1 1 
			 Wiltshire — 3 — 
			 Dyfed Powys — — — 
			 Gwent — — — 
			 North Wales — 5 1 
			 South Wales — — 1 
			 British Transport Police — 1 — 
			 Total 32 47 81 
			 (1) Sale of alcohol to a drunk person was added to the PND scheme with effect from 4 April 2005. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit.

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many under 18 year olds were  (a) arrested and  (b) cautioned for alcohol-related offences in each criminal justice area in the last two years.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 15 May 2009
	 The number of persons aged 10 to 17 years cautioned for alcohol related behaviour offences in England and Wales, by police force area, in 2006 and 2007 (latest available) are given in the table. The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence.
	Data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Number of persons aged 10 to 17 years cautioned for alcohol-related offences( 1)  in England and Wales, by police force area, from 2006 to 2007( 2,3,4) 
			  Police force area  2006  2007 
			 Avon and Somerset 11 28 
			 Bedfordshire 1 — 
			 Cambridgeshire — — 
			 Cheshire 14 26 
			 City of London 2 1 
			 Cleveland 20 18 
			 Cumbria 52 63 
			 Derbyshire 16 21 
			 Devon and Cornwall 105 132 
			 Dorset 14 18 
			 Durham 82 86 
			 Essex 2 — 
			 Gloucestershire 1 2 
			 Greater Manchester 14 24 
			 Hampshire 39 29 
			 Hertfordshire 4 6 
			 Humberside 11 6 
			 Kent 52 52 
			 Lancashire 84 103 
			 Leicestershire 5 3 
			 Lincolnshire 5 2 
			 Merseyside 19 48 
			 Metropolitan Police 7 — 
			 Norfolk 1 2 
			 North Yorkshire 41 29 
			 Northamptonshire 1 — 
			 Northumbria 314 366 
			 Nottinghamshire — — 
			 South Yorkshire 54 61 
			 Staffordshire 21 12 
			 Suffolk 19 12 
			 Surrey 21 6 
			 Sussex 45 62 
			 Thames Valley 22 14 
			 Warwickshire — — 
			 West Mercia 40 38 
			 West Midlands 45 49 
			 West Yorkshire 160 198 
			 Wiltshire 5 3 
			 Dyfed-Powys 27 29 
			 Gwent 76 75 
			 North Wales 44 24 
			 South Wales 39 16 
			 Total 1,535 1,664 
			 (1) Includes offences under the: Licensing Act 1872 s.12; Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 ss.1(2)(3)(4) and 1A(2)(3)(4), 2(1)(2), 5B(2)(3), 5C(3)(4), 5D(2)(3), 6(2); Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 s. 1; Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 ss.12,17,25(3)(a)(b), 25(4)(5), 32; Criminal Justice Act 1967 s.91; Licensing Act 1964 ss. 5C(5). 6, 6. 19, 28(3), 34, 36, 39(1)(2)(3)(4), 45, 48, 51(4), 53, 59(1)(a)(b), 71(4), 72, 84. 85(2), 89, 155(1)(a), 157(1)(a)(b), 157(1)(b), 159,160,(1)(a)(b), 161(1)(2), 162,163,164(1)(2), 165, 166(1)(a)(b), 167, 168A. 168(1)(2), 169A, 169B, 169C(1)(2)(3), 169E(1), 169F, 169G, 170, 171A(1), 172, 172A, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177. 178. 179A(6), 179B(5)(6), 179E(8), 179H(2), 181A(1)(2)(3), 183(1)(2)(3), 184.185,186,187(3)(4), 188.193(7) Sch.8 Appendix C s. 6, Appendix D; Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 s.1; Licensing Act 2003 ss. 33,40,41, 46, 49, 56, 57, 59, 82, 83, 93, 94, 96, 108, 109,123,127,128, 132,134. 135. 136.137,138,140,141,142,143,144,145,146, 147,147A, 148, 149(1 )(3)(4)(7(a)(b), 150(1)(2), 151,152,153,156, 157, 158, 160, 161, 165, 168,179.197, Sch.8 paras 1 and 22; Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 ss. 11, 27; Late Night Refreshment Houses Act 1969 ss. 7(2), 8,9(1)(4), 10; Town Police Clauses Act 1847 ss. 35, 61; London Hackney Carriage Act 1843 s.28; Merchant Shipping Act 1995 s.101(1)(a)(b), (4) and (5); Licensing Act 1902 ss.2, 6(2)(a)(b); Similar provisions in Local Acts; Criminal Justice Act 1996 s. 6; Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983 s.3 (Sch. Para. 2, 3(a)(b), 4(1)(2)(3), 5,6.7, 8(2). 9(2)); Licensing Act 1988 s. 17,18; Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, s. 19; Children and Young Persons Act 1933 s. 5. (2) The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (3) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: East of England

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been  (a) imposed and  (b) breached in each police force area in the East of England in each year since such orders were introduced.

Alan Campbell: Information held by the Ministry of Justice showing the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued and the number proven in court to have been breached at least once at all courts in the East of England from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2006 (latest available) is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued and the number proven in court to have been breached( 1)  at least once at all courts in each police force area in the East of England( 2 ) in each year, 2000( 3) -06 
			  Police force area  2000-02( 3)  2003  2004  2005  2006  Total 
			  Bedfordshire   
			 Issued 8 16 18 40 31 113 
			 Breached 6 6 7 15 9 43 
			
			  Cambridgeshire   
			 Issued 5 15 26 50 31 127 
			 Breached 4 6 12 12 15 49 
			
			  Essex   
			 Issued 2 23 79 88 32 224 
			 Breached — 2 28 58 35 123 
			
			  Hertfordshire   
			 Issued 16 17 40 73 35 181 
			 Breached 3 5 20 24 30 82 
			
			  Norfolk   
			 Issued 21 7 43 46 27 144 
			 Breached 8 4 10 23 22 67 
			
			  Suffolk   
			 Issued 9 25 78 53 35 200 
			 Breached 1 7 21 33 23 85 
			
			  East of England   
			 Issued 61 103 284 350 191 989 
			 Breached 22 30 98 165 134 449 
			 (1) ASBOs breached are counted based on the year the first breach was proven in court. Many ASBOs which are breached in a particular year will have been issued in a previous year. ASBOs can be issued in one police force area and breached in another. In this table breaches are counted on area of issue. (2) The East of England Government office region is comprised of the following police force areas: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. (3) From 1 June 2000.  Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Sources: Issued: as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service. Breached: OCJR Court Proceedings Database.

Crime: Firearms

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) fatal and  (b) non-fatal firearm offences in respect of which legal proceedings have been completed have been committed within 100 yards of the entrance to a prison in England and Wales in each of the last 12 years for which figures are available; how many of the victims or intended victims of such offences had been visiting or were about to visit the prison in question; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 13 May 2009
	I am afraid that the information requested is not held centrally.

Departmental Manpower

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many staff based at his Department's Abu Dhabi hub are allocated to reviewing visa applications from Pakistan;
	(2)  how many staff based at the Abu Dhabi visa hub are allocated to reviewing visa applications from Pakistan.

Alan Johnson: There are 33 entry clearance officers and nine entry clearance managers working in the hub in Abu Dhabi. They are processing work from Pakistan, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Staff are transferable between all three work streams in the hub and are allocated duties according to workloads.

Departmental Manpower

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa entry clearance officers are employed at  (a) Lahore and  (b) Karachi; and how many were employed at each post in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: There are no visa sections in Karachi or Lahore. The visa section in Karachi was closed in September 2007 and work was transferred to the visa section in Islamabad at that time. At the time of closure, the visa section in Karachi employed one entry clearance manager, eight (and a half) entry clearance officers and one risk assessment officer. The visa section in Lahore closed over five years ago (shortly after 9/11).

Departmental Manpower

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many staff are employed at the Abu Dhabi visa hub;
	(2)  how many staff are employed in the visa hub in Abu Dhabi.

Alan Johnson: On 12 May 2009 there are 101 staff working in the Abu Dhabi hub.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications were received in  (a) Karachi and  (b) Lahore consulate in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: During the financial year 2008-09, the UK Visa Application Centres in Karachi and Lahore received 26,364 and 53,189 visa applications, respectively.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of visa applications from Pakistani nationals are checked for fraud by entry clearance officers at  (a) Karachi and  (b) Lahore.

Alan Johnson: There are no entry clearance officers posted to Karachi or Lahore. All applications submitted in Pakistan are dealt with in Islamabad, Abu Dhabi or London. Fraud checks are carried out in Islamabad on 100 per cent. of applications submitted in Pakistan.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications were  (a) reviewed by entry clearance officers in Pakistan and  (b) processed by the visa hub in Abu Dhabi between the entry into service of the Abu Dhabi visa hub and 1 March 2009.

Alan Johnson: All applications lodged in Pakistan are seen by an entry clearance officer based in Islamabad so that a travel document forgery check can be carried out irrespective of where the decision is being made. Between the Abu Dhabi hub coming into service on 27 October 2008 and 1 March 2009 19,995 applications have been sent to Islamabad for a decision and a total of 19,497 applications have been sent to the hub in Abu Dhabi for a decision.

European Arrest Warrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people brought to jurisdictions in the UK under the provisions of a European arrest warrant have subsequently been convicted of an offence; what the name and nationality of each offender was; for what offence each was convicted; in which court and on what date in each case; what sentence each received; and from which member state each was removed to the UK.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 24 March 2009
	The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) (for Scotland) are the designated authorities for the receipt and transmission of European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) in the UK. In the UK, EAWs can only be issued by appropriately designated judicial authorities.
	SOCA's involvement in EAW cases ceases at the point of surrender to the UK and does not include recording the outcome of criminal cases in the UK.
	To retrieve this information would entail liaising with all the UK's prosecuting authorities and courts and would incur disproportionate cost.

European Arrest Warrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many European warrants for the arrest of  (a) British citizens and  (b) non-British citizens have been received from other EU member states; and how many people have been removed under such warrants since January 2008, broken down by (i) category of offence and (ii) member state of destination.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 24 March 2009
	 SOCA and COPFS (for Scotland) are the designated authorities for the receipt and transmission for European arrest warrants (EAWs) in the UK. The number of EAWs issued to the UK (excluding Scotland) since 1 January 2006 is:
	
		
			   Total 
			   EAWs issued to UK  EAW surrenders 
			 2006 (1)3,298 (1)151 
			 2007 (1)2,480 (2)320 
			 2008 (1)3,230 (2)515 
			 January-April 2009 (1)1,329 (2)165 
			 (1) Several member states will issue EAWs to more than one member state if the person's exact whereabouts are not known. A large number of EAWs received by SOCA therefore turn out to have no connection with the UK. (2) There may be occasions where logistics dictate that the surrender of a person arrested in Scotland takes place in England and is effected by SOCA. 
		
	
	It is not possible from current systems to provide data broken down by nationality, category of offence or member state of destination. This would require a manual examination of all files and incur disproportionate cost.

European Arrest Warrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many European warrants for the arrest of  (a) British citizens and  (b) non-British citizens her Department has issued; and how many people have been removed to the UK under such warrants since January 2008, broken down by (i) category of offence and (ii) member state to which the warrant was issued.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 24 March 2009
	 In 2008 SOCA transmitted 218 European arrest warrants (EAWs) to other member states and between January and April 2009, SOCA transmitted 86 EAWs.
	The Home Office does not issue EAWs. They are issued by designated judicial authorities such as the Crown Prosecution Service and COPFS for Scotland. These are then transmitted by SOCA or COPFS to the relevant member state for execution.
	In 2008, 96 individuals for whom SOCA had transmitted an EAW, either during 2008 or earlier were returned to the UK. Between January and April 2009 27 individuals were returned under the EAW procedure.
	It is not possible from current systems to provide data broken down by nationality, category of offence or member state to which the warrant was sent. This would require a manual examination of all files and hence disproportionate cost.

European Arrest Warrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many European warrants his Department has issued for the arrest of  (a) UK nationals and  (b) non-UK nationals who have escaped from prison; how many people have been removed to the UK as a result; with what offences they were charged; and to which member states each warrant was issued.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 24 March 2009
	EAWs are issued by the appropriately designated judicial authority and transmitted by the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
	To retrieve this information would entail liaising with all the UK's prosecuting authorities and courts and would incur disproportionate cost.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letters to him of 20 January and 16 February 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regards to Mrs H Jebably.

Alan Johnson: My right hon. Friend the former Home Secretary (Jacqui Smith), wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 April 2009.

Organised Crime: International Cooperation

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Serious and Organised Crime Agency spent on work undertaken in co-operation with  (a) Europol and  (b) Interpol in the last period for which figures are available.

Alan Campbell: The information is as follows:
	
		
			   Spent on work undertaken (£) 
			  (a) Europol  
			 Subscriptions paid in 2008-09 7,812,285 
			 SOCA Liaison Office at Europol 595,415 
			 Total 8,407,700 
			   
			  (b) Interpol  
			 Subscriptions paid in 2008-09 2,487,314 
			 SOCA staff at Interpol 212,576 
			 Total 2,699,890 
		
	
	These figures are subject to final audit. SOCA is the UK gateway for both Europol and Interpol and the subscription costs are for UK law enforcement as a whole.
	Many SOCA operations and projects involve collaboration with Europol, Interpol and other partners, but this work is not costed separately.

Police: Surveillance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2009,  Official Report, column 688W, on police: surveillance, whether he has completed his consideration of the publication of a non-restricted version of the guidance on the lawful and effective use of covert techniques.

David Hanson: Guidance on the Lawful and Effective Use of Covert Techniques programme, which includes an overarching guidance manual and a more recent guidance manual aimed at officers investigating local volume crime and disorder, contains details of covert techniques and as such is classified as restricted. It therefore cannot be placed in the Library.

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from  (a) the Association of Electricity Producers and  (b) Drax Power Limited on the use of powers under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 20 May 2009
	The Home Office has not received recently any direct representations on this matter from the organisations the hon. Member mentions, but is aware of the issues both have raised with the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Sexual Offences: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offenders have been subject to multi-agency public protection arrangements in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point in each of the last three years.

Alan Campbell: Data on MAPPA management and on the number of registered sexual offenders in England and Wales are available in the annual published MAPPA reports
	http://www.probation.justice.gov.uk/output/page30.asp
	Data on MAPPA management are not broken down below area level. However, for Essex, the number of registered sexual offenders managed via MAPPA meetings between 1 April and 31 March is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of registered sexual offenders 
			 2005-06 21 
			 2006-07 28 
			 2007-08 72 
		
	
	The increase in the 2007-08 figure was due to a review of the MAPPA level of cases being managed rather than an increase in the number of sexual offenders in Essex. This is fully explained in the 2007-08 Essex MAPPA report which is available on
	http://www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk/files/pdf/Essex%2 0MAPPA%202008%20Report.pdf

Sexual Offences: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been prosecuted for offences relating to sexual exploitation under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in  (a) Essex and  (b) Castle Point.

Alan Campbell: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for selected offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in Essex from 2004 to 2007 (latest available) are given in the table.
	Data are given in the table for Essex police force area. It is not possible to further break down data to constituency level (i.e. Castle Point) as this level of detail is not held centrally.
	Data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for selected offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003( 1) , in Essex, 2004( 2) - 07( 3,4) 
			  Essex police force area 
			   Number 
			 2004 34 
			 2005 49 
			 2006 47 
			 2007 20 
			 (1) Includes the following statutes: sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8(1)(2)(3), 9(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(1)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(2)(3), 10(1)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(2)(3), 11(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii), 12(1)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii), 13, 14, 15, 16(1)(a)(b)(c)(e)(i)(ii)(2)(3)(4)(5),17(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(i)(ii)(2)(3)(4)(5), 18(1)(a)(b) (c)(d)(e)(f)(i)(ii)(2)(3)(4)(5), 19(1 )(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(i)(ii)(2)(3)(4)(5), 25(1)(a)(b)(c)(d) (e)(i)(ii)(4)(a)(b)(5)(6), 26(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(i)(ii)(4)(a)(b)(5)(6), 47(1)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) (3)(4)(a)(b)(5)(6), 48(1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(2), 49(1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(2), 50(1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(2), 52, 53, 57, 58, 59; (2) The Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force on 1 May 2004. (3) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. For example, when a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit

Surveillance: Disclosure of Information

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's guidance on the management of covert human intelligence sources with any elements which would prohibit disclosure redacted.

David Hanson: The existing statutory Code of Practice on Covert Human Intelligence Sources, which came into force in 2002, is a published document and copies are available in the House Library. A revised draft version of the code is included in the consultation document "Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000: Consolidating Orders and Codes of Practice" which was published on 17 April 2009. Copies were placed in the House Library and are also available through the Home Office website.

Theft: Bicycles

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bicycle thefts were reported in each police authority area in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: The available information relates to offences of theft of a pedal cycle recorded by the police and is given in the following tables:
	
		
			  Table 1: Recorded offences of theft of a pedal cycle, 1997 
			  Police force area  Number 
			 Avon and Somerset 5,279 
			 Bedfordshire 1,327 
			 Cambridgeshire 6,195 
			 Cheshire 2,191 
			 Cleveland 1,955 
			 Cumbria 996 
			 Derbyshire 2,287 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,176 
			 Dorset 2,068 
			 Durham 1,262 
			 Dyfed-Powys 304 
			 Essex 3,251 
			 Gloucestershire 2,126 
			 Greater Manchester 6,895 
			 Gwent 840 
			 Hampshire 6,207 
			 Hertfordshire 1,460 
			 Humberside 6,963 
			 Kent 3,106 
			 Lancashire 3,839 
			 Leicestershire 3,424 
			 Lincolnshire 2,142 
			 London, City of 157 
			 Merseyside 2,961 
			 Metropolitan police 17,276 
			 Norfolk 2,503 
			 Northamptonshire 1,453 
			 Northumbria 3,675 
			 North Wales 1,083 
			 North Yorkshire 2,951 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,247 
			 South Wales 2,464 
			 South Yorkshire 2,811 
			 Staffordshire 2,145 
			 Suffolk 1,551 
			 Surrey 1,154 
			 Sussex 4,211 
			 Thames Valley 6,730 
			 Warwickshire 1,422 
			 West Mercia 2,849 
			 West Midlands 5,757 
			 West Yorkshire 3,947 
			 Wiltshire 1,452 
			 England and Wales 139,092 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Recorded offences of theft of a pedal cycle, 1998-99 to 2001-02( 1,2) 
			  Number 
			  Police force area  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02 
			 Avon and Somerset 4,730 4,289 3,698 3,555 
			 Bedfordshire 1,241 1,206 952 870 
			 Cambridgeshire 5,606 5,513 4,373 4,171 
			 Cheshire 1,940 2,202 1,865 1,666 
			 Cleveland 1,624 1,702 1,420 1,460 
			 Cumbria 1,001 988 716 691 
			 Derbyshire 1,900 1,755 1,529 1,505 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,084 2,087 1,667 1,563 
			 Dorset 281 246 265 268 
			 Durham 2,126 2,012 1,634 1,522 
			 Dyfed-Powys 990 1,107 916 867 
			 Essex 2,955 3,207 2,635 2,299 
			 Gloucestershire 1,899 2,204 1,796 1,691 
			 Greater Manchester 5,948 6,203 5,190 5,007 
			 Gwent 824 803 676 557 
			 Hampshire 5,878 5,807 4,730 4,455 
			 Hertfordshire 1,380 1,416 1,373 1,339 
			 Humberside 5,967 5,730 4,775 4,330 
			 Kent 2,450 2,383 2,175 1,821 
			 Lancashire 3,255 3,042 2,793 2,702 
			 Leicestershire 3,050 2,762 2,323 2,132 
			 Lincolnshire 2,174 2,318 1,879 1,750 
			 London, City of 258 250 203 334 
			 Merseyside 2,440 2,634 2,064 1,678 
			 Metropolitan police 17,092 18,659 14,470 14,340 
			 Norfolk 2,349 2,400 2,102 1,926 
			 Northamptonshire 1,657 1,530 1,229 1,146 
			 Northumbria 2,758 3,187 2,947 2,468 
			 North Wales 1,100 1,130 950 896 
			 North Yorkshire 2,948 2,600 2,175 2,442 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,344 4,296 3,749 3,555 
			 South Wales 2,278 2,313 1,829 1,951 
			 South Yorkshire 2,520 2,668 2,219 1,891 
			 Staffordshire 1,814 2,061 1,724 1,667 
			 Suffolk 1,940 2,023 1,709 1,728 
			 Surrey 1,193 1,189 1,388 1,301 
			 Sussex 3,895 3,686 3,062 2,959 
			 Thames Valley 6,787 7,992 6,000 5,346 
			 Warwickshire 1,490 1,284 1,100 1,060 
			 West Mercia 2,735 2,518 2,071 1,903 
			 West Midlands 5,012 5,044 4,198 4,004 
			 West Yorkshire 3,107 3,377 2,773 2,673 
			 Wiltshire 1,537 1,417 1,167 1,224 
			 England and Wales 128,557 131,240 108,509 102,713 
			 (1) The coverage was extended and counting rules revised from 1998-99. Figures from that date are not directly comparable with those for 1997.  (2) The data in this table are prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Recorded offences of theft of a pedal cycle, 2002-03 to 2007-08( 1, 2) 
			  Number 
			  Police force area  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Avon and Somerset 3,090 3,043 3,713 4,131 4,311 3,818 
			 Bedfordshire 719 898 881 1,073 965 1,000 
			 British Transport police 2,737 2,947 3,384 4,127 4,734 4,408 
			 Cambridgeshire 3,975 4,374 4,528 4,442 4,121 3,802 
			 Cheshire 1,551 1,746 1,565 1,731 1,795 1,558 
			 Cleveland 1,028 1,116 1,237 1,255 1,132 1,217 
			 Cumbria 606 802 850 862 780 802 
			 Derbyshire 1,301 1,358 1,131 1,156 1,065 1,135 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,443 1,712 1,825 1,792 1,871 1,775 
			 Dorset 1,624 1,843 1,602 1,555 1,806 1,731 
			 Durham 726 827 815 802 815 702 
			 Dyfed-Powys 230 330 388 308 257 295 
			 Essex 2,100 2,462 2,775 2,875 2,676 2,625 
			 Gloucestershire 1,588 1,653 1,322 1,577 1,516 1,345 
			 Greater Manchester 4,598 4,220 4,198 4,731 4,597 4,679 
			 Gwent 632 624 570 600 564 520 
			 Hampshire 4,253 4,545 4,869 5,843 5,839 4,988 
			 Hertfordshire 1,397 1,484 1,656 1,767 1,826 1,641 
			 Humberside 3,736 3,777 3,195 3,281 2,978 2,894 
			 Kent 1,609 1,829 2,020 1,884 1,888 2,125 
			 Lancashire 2,505 2,525 2,594 2,694 2,784 2,460 
			 Leicestershire 1,754 1,869 1,879 1,893 1,932 1,989 
			 Lincolnshire 1,810 1,623 1,766 1,736 1,604 1,662 
			 London, City of 427 355 319 336 314 289 
			 Merseyside 1,445 1,569 1,673 1,726 1,854 1,744 
			 Metropolitan police 15,812 19,261 19,317 21,238 18,648 17,183 
			 Norfolk 1,888 2,108 1,972 2,019 1,877 1,780 
			 Northamptonshire 1,053 1,157 1,318 1,152 1,202 1,107 
			 Northumbria 2,387 2,644 2,405 2,362 2,338 2,129 
			 North Wales 850 783 773 617 681 662 
			 North Yorkshire 2,331 2,563 1,991 2,041 2,020 1,796 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,608 2,744 2,601 2,876 3,026 2,775 
			 South Wales 1,717 1,822 1,978 1,762 1,810 1,866 
			 South Yorkshire 1,787 1,346 1,421 1,725 1,690 1,619 
			 Staffordshire 1,235 1,285 1,232 1,270 1,319 1,276 
			 Suffolk 1,439 1,457 1,653 1,828 1,759 1,653 
			 Surrey 1,085 1,297 1,331 1,463 1,679 1,539 
			 Sussex 2,329 2,683 2,811 3,165 3,097 2,792 
			 Thames Valley 5,264 5,547 5,879 5,994 5,688 5,239 
			 Warwickshire 1,001 1,076 878 1,005 1,028 845 
			 West Mercia 1,484 1,559 1,596 1,592 1,577 1,639 
			 West Midlands 3,301 3,229 2,793 3,132 3,233 3,092 
			 West Yorkshire 2,250 2,374 2,175 2,521 2,495 2,357 
			 Wiltshire 1,050 1,001 1,074 1,253 1,335 1,446 
			 England and Wales 97,755 105,467 105,953 113,192 110,526 103,999 
			 (1) The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.  (2) Includes British Transport police from 2002-03 onwards.

Travelling People

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent guidance issued by his Department to police forces on policing unauthorised Traveller camps.

David Hanson: The Association of Chief Police Officers published new guidance on unauthorised encampments in January of this year. A copy of this guidance has been placed in the Library.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what car journeys he took in attending the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009;
	(2)  how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009;
	(3)  what expenditure on  (a) travel,  (b) accommodation and  (c) food (i) he and (ii) officials in his Department incurred in connection with the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) attended Cabinet on 16 April 2009 as the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Total expenditure incurred by my Department was £607.42. This was incurred for travel costs only. Three car journeys were undertaken.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April 2009 I refer the hon. Member to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many notifications his Department made to the Information Commissioner in the year ended 30 April 2009 in respect of the loss or mishandling of personal information or data; what was notified in each such case; and how many individuals were the subjects of personal information or data in respect of which such notifications were made.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department has not made any such notifications to the Information Commissioner.

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have been (i) disciplined and (ii) dismissed for (A) breaches of data protection requirements and (B) inappropriate use of personal or sensitive data in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There have been no officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or the Royal Parks (i) disciplined or (ii) dismissed for (A) breaches of data protection requirements and (B) inappropriate use of personal or sensitive data in the last 12 months.

Departmental Stationery

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on the purchase of  (a) recycled office supplies in the last 12 months and  (b) printer ink cartridges in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The Department spent the following amounts on recycled office supplies in the last three years. Information prior to 2006 is not available.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2008 7,048.46 
			 2007 4,020.10 
			 2006 3,919.23 
		
	
	 (b) The Department has not bought any printer ink cartridges in the last three years. Information prior to 2006 is not available.

Departmental Stationery

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of office supplies purchased by his Department were recycled products in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In 2008 the Department spent £35,452.77 on office supplies, of which £7,048.46 was for the purchase of recycled products. This equates to 20 per cent.

Departmental Surveys

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what expenditure  (a) Arts Council England,  (b) Sport England,  (c) UK Sport,  (d) English Heritage and  (e) the Royal Parks Agency incurred on staff surveys in each of the last five years; and which organisation carried out each such survey.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The annual cost of staff surveys for the named organisations (as provided by those organisations) in each of the last five years is set out in the table. All figures include VAT. The figures include the costs of main staff surveys and do not include ad hoc requests for information.
	
		
			  Cost of survey and organisation involved 
			  £ 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Arts Council England 0 (1)28,000 0 (2)23,400 (2)18,300 
			   
			 Sport England (3)21,761 0 0 0 0 
			   
			 UK Sport 0 0 0 0 (4)3,450 
			   
			 English Heritage 0 0 0 (5)39,550 0 
			   
			 The Royal Parks 0 0 0 (6)5,399.12 (7)9,533.52 
			 (7)12,638.70 (—) 
			 (1) The Leadership Factor.  (2 )Ipsos Mori (A).  (3) GfK NOP.  (4) Fargus Consulting Partnership.  (5 )TalentPulse.  (6) ORC International.  (7) Atkins Management  Note:  The 2007-08 and 2008-09 costs were part of one survey carried out over two financial years.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many actions under employment law have been brought against his Department in each of the last three years; how many such actions were brought under each category of action; and how many such actions were contested by his Department at an employment tribunal.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I am not able to provide the information requested.
	It is standard statistical practice in DCMS not to release statistical information pertaining to individual members of staff when the numbers of staff involved are less then five. This is done to protect individuals' identities.

Equality: Broadcasting

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equality on the likely effects of the provisions of the Equality Bill on the commissioning, content and broadcast of television and radio programmes.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 8 June 2009
	Officials from my Department and from the Government Equalities Office have had detailed discussions about any effect that the Equality Bill may have on the commissioning, content and broadcast of television and radio programmes. The Government policy is that the new equality duty should not apply to the commissioning, content and broadcast of programmes.

Gambling: Internet

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with his French counterpart on the effect on UK companies of proposed changes to internet gambling legislation in France.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 1 June 2009
	There have been no formal discussions with French Ministers on the effect on UK companies of proposed changes to internet gambling legislation in France.
	However, I met with my French counterpart on 3 June 2009 to informally discuss a number of sport and gambling related issues.

Licensing Laws: Fees and Charges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what timetable has been established for action on the recommendations of the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel in respect of the shortfall between local authority costs and income.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We hope to be in a position to announce our response shortly. As you will appreciate, our response must be agreed across Government and this has taken longer than we had anticipated. We will accompany any proposals to change the fee structure with plans to review them after an appropriate period, and consult on them before they are implemented.

Olympic Games 2012: Facilities

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in developing the community sports legacy from the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 June 2009
	Since the publication of the Government's Legacy Action Plan in June 2008, there has been significant progress on delivering our aims for a lasting community sport legacy from the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
	In December 2008 Sport England announced £480 million of funding over the next four years to national governing bodies of sport to help deliver their outcome of 1 million more people playing sport regularly, as part of our legacy aim to get 2 million people more active.
	Sport England have also announced several new streams of lottery funding, including a £10 million themed round aimed at boosting sport participation in rural communities, and a £5 million Innovation Fund seeking new ways of getting people playing more sport—as part of a further investment of up to £220 million over the next four years.
	The Government are investing at least £780 million over 2008 to 2011 to develop sport opportunities for all young people through our PE and Sport Strategy for Young People. 90 per cent. of pupils now do two hours of high quality PE and school sport, and with delivery partners the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England, we are mapping provision of the five-hour offer in every School Sport Partnership area. Over the past year, we have rolled out a number of new programmes to get more young people doing sport: Sport Unlimited is a £36 million initiative which, by 2010-11, aims to give 900,000 more 11 to 19-year-olds opportunities to take part in sports that interest them most outside of school; we now have a new network of school sport coaches; a network of 226 competition managers are increasing competition between schools; and we have delivered 250 new multi-sport clubs for young disabled people.
	As set out in the Legacy Action Plan, a ministerial sports legacy board has been set up and met earlier this year. It brings together, for the first time, all those who have a role to play in delivering the sports legacy across the UK—the UK Government, the Devolved Administrations, Sport England, UK Sport, the Youth Sport Trust, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and others. The group will enable all of us to work together to maximise the opportunity which the Olympics and Paralympics provides to deliver a world leading sporting nation and get more children, young people and adults participating regularly in sport.

Public Houses

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1003W, on the community pubs inquiry report, when he expects the Government's response to the community pubs inquiry report to be published.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 8 June 2009
	The Government have now published their response to the community pubs inquiry report. Hard copies are available in the Vote and Printed Paper Office, and it is also available on the DCMS website at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/6137.aspx

Sports: Young People

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the £783 million allocated to the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People in 2009-10 to 2011-12 has been spent.

Gerry Sutcliffe: £783 million was allocated to the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People for the current spending round 2008-11, channelled through the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Sport England.
	For the financial year 2008-09, the Department for Children, Schools and Families have advised that they have spent £151,300,000 and Sport England have advised that they have spent £22,655,000. Both figures are subject to audit and verification.

Television

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on a timetable for the completion of its investigation into the pay television market; and when he expects Ofcom to publish a third consultation outlining potential remedies to structural problems identified in the market.

Ben Bradshaw: Competition matters are the responsibility of, my right hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr. McFadden). However, my officials have discussed the timetable of this investigation with Ofcom and I understand that they expect to make a statement on their progress and current findings by the end of June.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Members: Allowances

Roger Berry: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions she has had with the House authorities on the interpretation of the requirement in the Additional Costs Allowance rules, paragraph 3.11.1 of the 2006 Green Book, that 'the location of your main home will normally be a matter of fact. If you have more than one home, your main home will normally be the one where you spend more nights than any other'; what external  (a) legal and  (b) accountancy advice (i) has been obtained and (ii) is planned to be obtained on that interpretation; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Keeley: The interpretation of the rules governing Members' allowances is a matter for the House authorities. The Standards and Privileges Committee considered the rules relating to the designation of main homes in its Fifteenth Report of 2007-08 (HC 1127). It is the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the designation of their main home complies with the rules of the House.
	The Office of the Leader of the House has taken no external legal or accountancy advice on this subject and has no plans to do so.

Members: Allowances

Roger Berry: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions she has had with the House authorities on the interpretation of the requirement in the Additional Costs Allowance rules, paragraphs 3.1.1 and 3.10.2 of the 2006 Green Book, that expenses must be 'wholly, exclusively and necessarily' incurred for the purpose of an hon. Member performing parliamentary duties; what external  (a) legal and  (b) accountancy advice (i) has been obtained and (ii) is planned to be obtained on the interpretation of those words; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Keeley: The interpretation of the rules governing Members' allowances is a matter for the House authorities. It is the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that their claims comply with the rules of the House.
	The Office of the Leader of the House has taken no external legal or accountancy advice on this subject and has no plans to do so.

Private Members' Bills: Parliamentary Procedure

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House if she will bring forward proposals to amend Standing Orders to provide that in respect of private members' Bills on Fridays no fewer than 20 hon. Members rising in their places, at or after the moment of interruption, shall be required to constitute objection to further proceeding; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Keeley: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the deployment of the Headquarters of 6 (UK) Division to command the International Security Assistance Force's Regional Command (South) from November 2009 to November 2010 will change the establishment number for UK troops in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: The deployment of the Headquarters of 6 (UK) Division will be managed within the approved UK force levels in Afghanistan as announced by the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 29 April 2009,  Official Report, column 871.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of UK military equipment formerly deployed to Iraq is intended to be  (a) redeployed to Afghanistan and  (b) gifted to the Iraqi armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 8 June 2009
	Information on the proportion of military equipment that was formerly deployed to Iraq but which may be redeployed to Afghanistan is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	With respect to items previously gifted to the Government of Iraq, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor on 12 May 2009,  Official Report, column 748W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell).

Armed Forces: Fuels

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of transporting each type of fuel to each zone in which British troops are engaged in military action in each of the last three years.

Quentin Davies: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel received overpayments in their pension provision in each of the last 10 years; for what reasons the overpayments were made; what the reasons were for the time taken to identify the error in making payments; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 8 June 2009
	In the last 10 years there have been three incidents of armed forces pension overpayments caused by systemic errors. The majority of these errors stem from the complexity of the scheme legislation and required extensive programmes of investigation to identify individuals affected and take corrective action.
	The first was in 2001 when the National Audit Office identified 2,300 cases where the national insurance abatement had not been applied. All the affected pensions were corrected by 11 April 2005 and recovery of the overpayments made was not sought.
	In 2006, an error in the transfer of information between the former Veterans Agency and the former Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency resulted in 98 AFPS overpayments. All errors were corrected by 31 March 2008 and recovery of the overpayments was not sought.
	In December 2008, the guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) error identified 4,716 AFPS pensions that required correcting. The majority have now been corrected and the recovery of the overpayments was not sought.
	Overpayments made on an individual basis are only held for the last three years and are provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Reason for overpayment  Number 
			 Late notification of death 10,124 
			 National fraud initiative 147 
			 Transfer to full-time Reserve Service 53 
			 Pension sharing on divorce 43 
			 Others(1) 109 
			 Total 10,476 
			 (1 )Combination of revised pension awards, payments to incorrect bank accounts non-entitlement to pension after remarriage, overpayment child pensions and others.

Army: Lost Property

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army  (a) guns and  (b) other weapons have (i) been stolen and (ii) otherwise gone missing in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The following table shows the number of Army guns (pistols, rifles, machine guns, shotguns and cadet rifles) reported stolen or lost since 1997. No weapons other than those defined above were reported stolen or lost in this period. These figures exclude information from incidents on operations, which are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Gun thefts  Gun losses 
			 1997 6 2 
			 1998 6 3 
			 1999 9 2 
			 2000 28 2 
			 2001 8 2 
			 2002 12 4 
			 2003 3 2 
			 2004 13 1 
			 2005 0 0 
			 2006 0 0 
			 2007 0 0 
			 2008 0 2 
			 2009(1) 4 2 
			 (1 )Up to 5 June 2009.

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) officials of his Department accompanied him to Glasgow for the Cabinet meeting on 16 April 2009.

Bob Ainsworth: My predecessor was accompanied by one private secretary.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what car journeys he took in attending the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Bob Ainsworth: My predecessor made three journeys by car during the visit. These were from the airport to visit a defence contractor at Govan shipyard, from Govan to the Cabinet at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), and from the SECC to the airport.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009;
	(2)  what expenditure on  (a) travel,  (b) accommodation and  (c) food (i) he and (ii) officials in his Department incurred in connection with the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Bob Ainsworth: The only direct expenditure by the Ministry of Defence was the purchase of two return London-Glasgow plane tickets for my predecessor and an accompanying official, totalling £767.
	For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Departmental Buildings

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) land and  (b) buildings his Department has sold since 1997.

Kevan Jones: Records of transactions prior to 2000 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member with the information on land and buildings sold since 2000 as soon as these data have been verified and collated.

Kenya: Piracy

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2009,  Official Report, column 1159W, on Somalia: piracy, how long the eight suspects transferred to Kenyan custody were held on Royal Navy vessels before being transferred; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The eight suspects were detained on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight for five days while transiting to a Kenyan port, before being transferred to Kenyan authorities for prosecution under the provisions of a memorandum of understanding. Prior to this they had been detained for three days on board the pirated dhow under Royal Navy escort.

Special Forces: Defence Equipment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to provide for counter-sniper systems similar to those used by US forces in Iraq to be used by British armed forces.

Quentin Davies: We do have a shot detection capability, the details of which I am withholding for reasons of operational security.

Special Forces: Finance

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take in respect of funding for the UK special forces in advance of the implementation of the rebalancing strategy for the armed forces.

Bob Ainsworth: It is the long-standing policy of this and previous Governments not to comment on matters relating to UK special forces, as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

War Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what recent progress his Department has made in its review of the future of war pensions committees; whether the review will take account of the views of disabled veterans and their families served by such committees; and whether hon. Members will be given the opportunity to comment on the conclusions of the review before final decisions are taken;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to publish the outcomes of his review of the future of war pensions committees.

Kevan Jones: A review of the War Pensions Committees is currently under way. The review is being conducted in consultation with the Committees and other stakeholders and an initial symposium was held on 25 March 2009. It is our intention to consult widely as the review develops, in line with normal practice. Any hon. Member who has shown an interest in this review will be invited to respond to any consultation before final decisions are made.
	As with other policy developments and consultations, the outcome of the review, and a summary of responses to consultation, will be published.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Manpower

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) regular police officers and  (b) reservists of each rank served in the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Lady, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Museums and Galleries

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are applied by the museum at the Police Service of Northern Ireland headquarters on whether to accept donations of  (a) Royal Ulster Constabulary and  (b) B Specials memorabilia.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Lady, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Prison Service: Misconduct

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which offences by prison service staff constitute gross misconduct warranting termination of employment.

Paul Goggins: It is not possible to list every type of behaviour that might constitute gross misconduct. However, the Northern Ireland Prison Service Code of Conduct and Discipline gives examples of the type of conduct that will normally be regarded as gross misconduct and which will normally result in dismissal for a first offence. These are:
	serious unprofessional conduct, for example trafficking or any act of violence involving a prisoner or other member of staff, or damage of property;
	instances of theft, fraud or any other act involving dishonesty at work;
	abuse of official position;
	serious acts of negligence causing appreciable loss, damage to Prison Service property or injury;
	insubordination liable to lead to serious disorder or loss of control in an establishment; and
	serious or persistent acts of harassment including sexual harassment.

Prison Service: Misconduct

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prison officers have been  (a) suspended and  (b) dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct in each of the last three years; and for what reasons in each case.  [Official Report, 23 June 2009, Vol. 494, c. 3MC.]

Paul Goggins: The following table shows the number of prison officers who have been  (a) suspended and  (b) dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct in the last three years for the reasons stated.
	
		
			   Action  Misc onduct 
			 2006 4 suspensions 1 harassment 
			   2 PSNI criminal investigations 
			   1 fraudulent activity involving expenses 
			
			  3 dismissals 1 failure to provide relevant information on security form 
			   2 subject to criminal proceedings 
			
			 2007 2 suspensions 1 interfered with prisoner's confidential correspondence 
			   1 fraudulent activity involving a prisoner 
			
			  2 dismissals 1 harassment 
			   1 fraudulent activity involving a prisoner 
			
			 2008 17 suspensions 16 neglect of duty 
			   1 inappropriate relationship with a prisoner 
			
			  2 dismissals 1 interfered with prisoner's confidential correspondence 
			   1 inappropriate relationship with a prisoner

OLYMPICS

Departmental Official Hospitality

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much  (a) her Office and  (b) the Government Olympic Executive has spent on (i) conference services and (ii) banqueting services in each year since their creation.

Tessa Jowell: Part of Government Olympic Executive's (GOE) role is to develop legacy plans and ensure full economic and social benefits to the United Kingdom.
	Since its creation the GOE, and the Minister for the Olympics' Office, have spent £225,893 on hosting five conferences—one in Leeds, two in east London and two in central London. Two conferences focused on the UK-wide business benefits of London 2012, one on disability, one on volunteering, and one on the International Inspiration Programme, which is aimed at transforming the lives of 12 million children and young people across 20 developing countries worldwide.
	The GOE has also spent £4,686 on five dinners hosted by the Minister for the Olympics designed to consult a range of industry, charity and public sector leaders and inform our preparations for 2012. These events have covered a broad range of issues including how to engage young people in our plans for 2012; the means by which we can secure a positive legacy from the games; our plans for using volunteers on the 2012 programme; how we maximise access to and legacy from the games for disabled people; how we overcome challenges in relation to construction of the Olympic Park; as well as the use of new media and technology and legacy of the International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre. All resulted in proposals for further actions which are being developed.

Olympic Delivery Authority: Manpower

Don Foster: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many people are employed by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA); what the staffing costs of the ODA were in the last 12 months; and how many ODA staff work on  (a) project management,  (b) legacy planning and  (c) financial oversight.

Tessa Jowell: At 30 April 2009 ODA employed 246 staff, permanent, secondments and fixed term, the latter including a number of graduates recruited for a 10-month placement as part of the ODA graduate placement scheme.
	The ODA's staff costs for the 12 months to 30 April 2009 were £21.5 million, including salary, national insurance and pension contributions. The staff costs reflect, in part, the need to employ high quality external expertise to meet the unique challenge that the Olympics represents—delivering a large and complex programme to a fixed deadline. This is a successful operation: we are on time and within budget. The overall management costs of the Olympic programme are well within industry benchmarks for a project of this size.
	Of the ODA's staff 136 are working on project management. This includes work on legacy planning. Every project in the programme is considered with legacy in mind, ensuring that legacy requirements are incorporated in design briefs, specifications and business planning. This approach is designed to ensure that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games will be the catalyst for the regeneration, but it also means that staff are not attributed specifically to legacy planning.
	The ODA's Finance and Business Planning team employs 19 staff on financial oversight and who work closely with the Delivery Partner. This excludes internal Cabinet Office audit services which are provided by Ernst and Young.

Olympic Games 2012

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister for the Olympics 
	(1)  what her most recent estimate is of the cost of hosting Olympic events in the Lower Lea Valley;
	(2)  what her most recent estimate is of the cost of hosting the London 2012 Olympics white water canoe event at River Lee Country Park;
	(3)  what her most recent estimate is of the cost of hosting London 2012 Olympics events at Earl's Court.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 8 June 2009
	The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has responsibility for staging the Olympic and Paralympic games at existing venues. The direct costs associated with staging the events at existing venues come from LOCOG's revenues which are primarily derived from commercial sponsorship, broadcast rights, ticket sales and merchandising/licensing—not from the public purse.
	There will be attributable costs to the public purse, for example in respect of the security and transport functions associated with the venue. However these costs have not yet been identified separately for individual venues, but they will form part of the overall security and transport budgets.
	In respect of the white water canoe course and Eton Manor, which are being constructed by the Olympic Delivery Authority, the project budgets cannot be disclosed at the current time owing to reasons of commercial sensitivity.

HEALTH

Breast Cancer: Screening

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times for breast cancer screening in each primary care trust were in the latest period for which information is available.

Ann Keen: Waiting times in the NHS Breast Screening Programme are measured by the proportion of eligible women who are recalled for screening within 36 months of their previous screen. This is known as round length. Round length is not measured by primary care trust, but round length by local breast screening unit ranked in descending order for quarter 4 2008-09 (January to March 2009) is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Breast screening unit  36 month round length (percentage) 
			 Doncaster 100 
			 Aylesbury 100 
			 Wycombe 100 
			 Crewe 99 
			 Macclesfield 99 
			 Wirral 99 
			 Sheffield 99 
			 Rotherham 99 
			 Epping 99 
			 West Devon 99 
			 Northampton 99 
			 South Derbyshire 99 
			 Kettering 99 
			 Windsor 99 
			 Portsmouth 99 
			 North Yorkshire 98 
			 Leeds Wakefield 98 
			 Barnsley 98 
			 West of London 98 
			 Barking and Havering 98 
			 Shropshire 98 
			 South Staffordshire 98 
			 Avon 98 
			 Dorset 98 
			 Somerset 98 
			 Milton Keynes 98 
			 Reading 98 
			 Southampton and Salisbury 98 
			 Isle of Wight 98 
			 North Tees 97 
			 Gateshead 97 
			 Pennine 97 
			 East Suffolk 97 
			 North Staffordshire 97 
			 Cornwall 97 
			 North Nottinghamshire 97 
			 Lincolnshire 97 
			 Canterbury 97 
			 Bolton 96 
			 North Cumbria 96 
			 North Yorkshire 96 
			 South East London (Greenwich) 96 
			 Cambridge and Huntingdon 96 
			 Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry 96 
			 South Devon 96 
			 Wiltshire 96 
			 Maidstone 96 
			 Medway 96 
			 Chester 95 
			 South West London 95 
			 King's Lynn 95 
			 South Essex 95 
			 Liverpool 94 
			 Newcastle 94 
			 James Paget (Great Yarmouth) 94 
			 Oxford 94 
			 East Lancashire 93 
			 South East London (Kings) 92 
			 Chelmsford and Colchester 91 
			 Humberside 90 
			 West Suffolk 90 
			 North Derbyshire 89 
			 Leicester 88 
			 Warrington 87 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 87 
			 West Sussex 87 
			 Norfolk and Norwich 86 
			 Wigan 85 
			 Jarvis Centre (Guildford) 85 
			 Greater Manchester 84 
			 Hereford and Worcester 84 
			 South Birmingham 84 
			 Gloucestershire 79 
			 Nottingham 78 
			 City and East London 76 
			 East Devon 75 
			 City Hospital (Birmingham) 69 
			 Peterborough 62 
			 Dudley and Wolverhampton 58 
			 North Lancashire 48 
			 North and Mid-Hampshire 43 
			 North London 22 
			 Brighton 8 
			  Source: NHS Cancer Screening Programmes

Health Bill

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of  (a) his recent letter regarding the potential costs of compliance with Part 3 of the Health Bill [ Lords] sent to retailers and  (b) his Department's analysis upon which such estimates were based; and what plans he has to issue further guidance to retailers on the means by which compliance may be achieved prior to the enactment of legislation.

Gillian Merron: The letter relating to the tobacco provisions of the Health Bill sent from Baroness Thornton to the National Federation of Retailers and Newsagents dated 6 May 2009 has been placed in the Library. The letter contains information on the potential costs of removing tobacco displays, including cost estimates provided to the Department from a Canadian company with experience of providing solutions to remove tobacco displays in Canada. Further detail of the analysis of estimate costs of removing tobacco displays, and other measures contained in the Health Bill, can be found in the impact assessment produced by the Department, copies of which are available from the Vote Office in the House of Commons or from the Department's website.
	The Department is committed to working with retail organisations such as the Association of Convenience Stores, the British Retail Consortium and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, along with the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services, to develop and distribute guidance to business with regard to regulations on tobacco displays.

Health Bill

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish in draft form the draft regulations provided for under the provisions of the Health Bill [ Lords].

Mike O'Brien: The timetable for preparing and publishing draft regulations which support, where relevant, implementation of the provisions in the Bill will vary and depends on a range of different factors concerning each provision. We aim to publish draft regulations on the tobacco provisions as soon as possible, subject to the passage of the Health Bill through Parliament. This would give businesses adequate lead-in time before regulations commence.

Health Bill

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations he plans to consult on the provisions contained in Part 3 of the Health Bill [ Lords].

Gillian Merron: We intend to work closely with a wide range of interested stakeholders, as appropriate, on the detailed implementation of the provisions in Part 3 of the Health Bill.
	We are already working with various organisations to develop draft regulations concerning the tobacco provisions. The consultation on the draft regulations will be open to all interested stakeholders and members of the public.
	The organisations we will consult include, but are not limited to: the Association of Convenience Stores, the British Retail Consortium, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services, the National Association of Cigarette Machine Operators, the UK Travel Retail Forum, the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists, the Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council, the Local Government Association, the Airport Operators Association as well as a number of individual businesses.

Health Bill

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to undertake a regulatory impact assessment on the effect of the provisions of the Health Bill [ Lords] on small retail businesses; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The published impact assessments supporting the Bill include, where relevant, our assessment of the likely impact on smaller retailers.
	Copies of the impact assessments supporting the Bill can be obtained from the Vote Office in the House of Commons, and are also available in the Library and on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_093278

Health Bill

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the provisions contained in Part 3 of the Health Bill [ Lords] and the likely cost of their implementation.

Gillian Merron: All relevant provisions in Part 3 of the Health Bill were cleared through the usual processes across Government, including with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The Department continues to work closely with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the Bill's provisions, in particular to ensure regulations are developed that will enable cost-effective solutions to be used to remove tobacco displays. Relevant provisions are supported by full impact assessments.

Health Services

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's impact assessments in measuring inequalities in  (a) gender,  (b) social,  (c) geographical and  (d) ethnic groups in relation to cardiovascular and kidney disease and diabetes.

Ann Keen: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Sir Nicholas Winterton) on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 507W.
	The Department has assessed the impact on equality relating to policies on cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes. The assessments identify and analyse the available data and evidence on inequalities in relation to these conditions and set out ways in which to reduce the inequalities. The assessments have informed policy development in these areas and are expected to lead to improvements in outcomes and a reduction in inequalities.
	The Department expects to monitor progress in reducing inequalities for conditions including diabetes, kidney disease and stroke. This will include activity to identify gaps in evidence and ways of addressing these, increasing awareness of health and social care services of high risk groups and improving the availability and quality of data to ensure people with these conditions are identified and receive good quality care. Improvements in access to services, a better experience and better outcomes for groups at risk will demonstrate the effectiveness of the impact assessments in identifying inequalities and suggesting ways of reducing them.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2009,  Official Report, column 712W, on hospitals: infections, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections resulting from orthopaedic surgeries.

Ann Keen: A key component is surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs). Since 2004, when surveillance of orthopaedic surgical site infections became mandatory, rates of SSI have decreased.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of co-incidence of clostridium difficile and other healthcare-associated infections has been in individual patients in England in the last five years.

Ann Keen: Data on co-infections are not collected centrally.

NHS: Complaints

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman will be limited to the investigation of maladministration or service failure in his consideration of complaints which would previously have been subject to review by the Healthcare Commission.

Ann Keen: The scope and remit of the parliamentary and health service ombudsman to consider complaints has not been changed by the abolition of the Healthcare Commission.

Putney Hospital

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Wandsworth Primary Care Trust has spent on  (a) the development plans for Putney Primary Care Centre,  (b) the security and maintenance of the Putney Hospital site and  (c) consultation with local residents on development plans for Putney Primary Care Centre in each year since Putney Hospital closed.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is not held centrally. The future of the site of the former Putney hospital is a matter for Wandsworth Primary Care Trust.

Social Services: Correspondence

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist for hon. Members to request an immediate response from social services to urgent cases referred to them by those hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The responsibility for regulating adult social care services rests with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). CQC has a range of enforcement powers and will take action where it considers that the welfare of service users may be at risk.
	Where concerns are raised about social services, there is no requirement for local authorities, or CQC, to respond urgently to any particular individuals or groups. However, the Department would expect them to respond in an appropriate and timely manner, taking account of the circumstances of the case.
	Local authorities are autonomous, elected bodies. They are responsible for ensuring that the services they commission or provide meet the needs of service users and they must discharge their statutory duties and act legally. If a service user, or someone acting on their behalf, has concerns about the conduct or performance of their social services department, they are entitled to pursue the matter through the statutory social services complaints procedure, which all local authorities are required to have, or they may ask the local government ombudsman to investigate.
	The responsibility for children's social care services rests with the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

TREASURY

Tax Avoidance

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of  (a) high street banks and  (b) major accounting firms on measures to reduce tax avoidance.

Stephen Timms: The Chancellor and Treasury Ministers have a range of discussions with industry on Budget representations.
	In addition, HM Revenue and Customs is in regular contact with banks and major accounting firms on a range of issues including tax avoidance, the introduction of a code of practice on taxation for banks, and other matters of mutual interest.

Tax Reporting Requirements

Philip Dunne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of complying with tax reporting requirements.

Brian Binley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of complying with tax reporting requirements.

Stephen Timms: Research commissioned by HMRC in 2005 found the administrative burden imposed on business by the UK tax system is approximately £5.1 billion a year.
	Reducing administrative burdens for business is a priority for this Government, and so is one of HMRC's priorities. At Budget 2009, HMRC have reported significant progress and have implemented or committed to measures that will deliver administrative savings to business of around £540 million per annum.

Public Sector Debt

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he next expects public sector debt to fall below 40 per cent. of gross domestic product.

Kitty Ussher: The UK entered the global economic crisis with low public debt, which has given the flexibility to allow debt to rise in the short term to support the economy. Reflecting the Government's commitment to ensuring sustainable public finances over the medium term, the temporary fiscal operating rule requires debt to be falling as a proportion of GDP once the global shocks have worked their way though the economy in full. The Budget set out plans that are consistent with debt falling as a share of GDP by 2015-16.

Financial Services Authority

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the chairman and the chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority on the authority's performance against its objectives.

Ian Pearson: Ministers and officials meet the FSA on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues. The FSA reports annually to the Treasury on its performance against objectives. The Treasury then lays the report before Parliament.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the aggregate percentage change to departmental expenditure limits between 2010-11 and 2013-14.

Liam Byrne: In the 10 years from 1997, total public spending increased by 43 per cent. in real terms, compared to 14 per cent. in the previous decade. Such high levels of investment, coupled with reforms, have enabled the Government to achieve major improvements across frontline public services. The Government are committed to increasing investment in important public service priorities over the coming years, alongside delivering more efficient and effective public services and cutting down on waste. Departmental allocations plans for 2010-11 were set out in Budget 2009.
	Departmental allocations plans beyond 2010-11 will be decided at the next spending review. Over 2011-12 to 2013-14, public sector current expenditure is set to grow at an average of 0.7 per cent. in real terms, and public sector net investment will move to 1.25 per cent. of GDP in 2013-14.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the aggregate percentage change to departmental expenditure limits between 2010-11 and 2013-14.

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the aggregate percentage change to departmental expenditure limits between 2010-11 and 2013-14.

Liam Byrne: In the 10 years from 1997, total public spending increased by 43 per cent. in real terms, compared to 14 per cent. in the previous decade. Such high levels of investment, coupled with reforms, have enabled the Government to achieve major improvements across frontline public services. The Government are committed to increasing investment in important public service priorities over the coming years, alongside delivering more efficient and effective public services and cutting down on waste.
	Departmental allocations plans for 2010-11 were set out in Budget 2009. Departmental allocations plans beyond 2010-11 will be decided at the next spending review. Over 2011-12 to 2013-14, public sector current expenditure is set to grow at an average of 0.7 per cent. in real terms, and public sector net investment will move to 1.25 per cent. of GDP in 2013-14.

Employment

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on levels of employment of the measures in the 2009 Budget.

Julie Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect on levels of employment of the measures in the 2009 Budget.

Kitty Ussher: Action the Government have taken in the pre-Budget report 2008, since then and at Budget 2009 is of critical importance in supporting employment. For example, targeted cash-flow support for businesses through HMRC's Business Payment Support Service has already helped 100,000 businesses employing 600,000 people since PBR. Precise quantification of the impact of each measure in the 2009 Budget will be undertaken where possible and when the relevant data become available.

Small Businesses

Mr. Reid: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that banks continue to provide liquidity to small businesses.

Ian Pearson: The Government are taking action to ensure competitively priced loans continue to be available. On 19 January, the Government announced measures to reinforce the stability of the financial system, increase confidence and capacity to lend, and support the recovery of the economy. These measures build on those announced on 8 October 2008.
	The Government have agreed lending commitments with Lloyds and RBS that will see Lloyds lend an additional £11 billion to businesses, and RBS an additional £16 billion to businesses—on commercial terms and subject to market demand—over the 12 months from March 2009.
	The Government will report annually to Parliament on the delivery of these agreements.

Automotive Assistance Programme

Peter Luff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the automotive assistance programme; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: Treasury Ministers and officials regularly have discussions with Ministers and officials in the former Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on all the Government's initiatives to provide real help to business, including the Automotive Assistance Programme.
	The AAP received state aid clearance on 27 February 2009 with an "Open for Business" promotional seminar hosted by BERR on 11 March. Since then, there have been more than 70 further requests for information on the scheme. The Government are working with companies, resulting in around 15 approaches being taken forward in more detail.

Financial Services: Consumer Interests

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that UK Financial Investments takes into account the interests of consumers of financial services.

Ian Pearson: The overarching objectives for the UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI) are to protect and create value for the taxpayer as shareholder with due regard to the maintenance of financial stability and to act in a way that promotes competition. This objective includes promoting competition in a way that is consistent with a UK financial services industry that operates to the benefit of consumers.
	It is not the role of the UK Financial Investments Limited (UKFI) and the Treasury to intervene in the day-to-day management decisions of invested banks and banks which are in temporary public ownership.

Pensioner Poverty

Mary Creagh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect on levels of pensioner poverty of the proposals made in the 2009 Budget.

Ian Pearson: The Government have made significant progress in tackling pensioner poverty over the last decade lifting 900,000 pensioners out of relative poverty since 1998. The Government remain committed to tackling pensioner poverty and in April the guarantee element of pension credit increased by the largest amount since its introduction and above indexation. Budget 2009 took further action to help pensioner incomes. It announced an additional payment alongside this year's winter fuel payment and a package of measures to support pensioners who receive an income from savings.

Bank Lending

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect on levels of bank lending of measures introduced in the 2009 Budget.

Ian Pearson: As set out in the Budget, in response to the current financial market stress and instability, the Government have taken decisive and immediate steps to limit the negative effects on the economy.
	On 19 January 2009, the Government announced a package of measures package designed to reinforce the stability of the financial system, to increase confidence and capacity to lend, and in turn to support the recovery of the economy. These measures build on those announced on 8 October last year.
	At the 2008 pre-Budget report, the Government announced the creation of a new Lending Panel (made up of lenders, trade and consumer bodies, Government, regulators and the Bank of England) to monitor lending. As part of this new monitoring approach, the Bank of England is publishing new monthly report—"Trends in Lending"—which presents the bank's assessment of latest developments in lending to UK economy. This report is available at:
	http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/other/monetary/trendsinlending.htm

Landfill Tax

Andrew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what plans his Department has to publish a report on the outcomes of the consultation on proposed changes to landfill tax; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  which individuals and organisations have been invited to respond to his Department's consultation on proposed changes to landfill tax.

Kitty Ussher: This consultation, launched on 22 April 2009, is being conducted in accordance with the Government's Consultation Code of Practice. An assessment of the responses will be undertaken following the end of the consultation and a summary of responses will be published thereafter including any decisions taken in the light of the exercise.
	Hard copies of the consultation document have been sent to all landfill site operators registered for the tax by HMRC. An electronic copy of the consultation was sent to various stakeholder groups including Government bodies, waste management companies, environmental organisations, trade associations and industry bodies. Comments are welcome from anyone with an interest. The document is available from both the HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs websites. Printed copies are also available from these Departments.

Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department takes to ensure that debt collection work contracted out by HM Revenue and Customs is undertaken only by registered bailiffs.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not commission bailiffs to recover tax arrears or other debts and has no plans to do so.
	The Department is currently carrying out a small-scale six-month trial to test the use of private debt collection agencies. The agencies involved have been chosen from a government framework contract and have successfully pursued debts on behalf of other Government Departments for some years. The pilot does not involve face to face contact or visits to home or business premises.

Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what categories of information on creditors are provided to debt collectors working on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs; and what procedures are in place to ensure the security of personal data relating to individuals in such circumstances.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and those acting on its behalf have a strict statutory duty of confidentiality and information is only passed to third parties by HMRC for the purposes permitted by law. The Department is currently carrying out a small-scale six-month trial to test the use of private debt collection agencies (DCAs). HMRC will supply to such agencies only sufficient information to enable identification and collection of any debt and authentication of the identity of the debtor.
	The DCAs' processes have already been accredited by other Government Departments. HMRC have carried out additional checks to ensure the statutory duty of confidentiality will be maintained. These will be supplemented by robust audit and assurance as the pilot proceeds.

Unemployment

David Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures his Department has put in place to reduce the unemployment rate for 18 to 24 year olds.

Kitty Ussher: The Government are committed to giving everyone the support they need to find employment as quickly as possible, whatever their age.
	On 6 April 2009, as part of the Government's response to the economic downturn, Government put in place a package of support available to anyone unemployed for more than six months, including a recruitment subsidy of £1,000 for employers that recruit those in receipt of JSA for six months or more. Government also launched extra support for newly unemployed customers including one-to-one advice and coaching, and a quadrupling of funding for the Rapid Response Service.
	Funding was provided in the Budget for a guaranteed offer of a job, work-focused training, or work experience for at least six months for all 18 to 24-year-olds who have been claiming JSA for 12 months. This offer will consist of:
	New jobs created through the Future Jobs Fund, which will be worth around £1 billion and will create up to 100,000 new jobs for young people, as well as a further 50,000 specifically targeted in areas of high unemployment. Local authorities, partnerships and others will be able to bid to create jobs through the Fund;
	Support to move into a job in a key employment sector, including a subsidy to support 50,000 social care jobs through Care First:
	Work-focused training; or
	A place on a Community Task Force, delivering real help within their local community.
	The guarantee will come into effect from January 2010, with some jobs available as early as October 2009.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children will be permitted to read full serious case reviews.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children, Sir Roger Singleton, will be permitted to read individual full serious case reviews if, in his view, it is necessary for him to do so in order to fulfil his remit as set out in his letter from the Secretary of State of 12 March.

Local Government: Correspondence

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what mechanisms exist for hon. Members to request an immediate response from local education authorities in respect of urgent cases referred to them by those hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Diana Johnson: If a local authority fails to respond to an hon. Member within a reasonable period of time, it is open to that Member to complain to the Commission for Local Administration in England (the Local Government Ombudsman).

Pre-school Education: Qualifications

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will estimate the number and proportion of the early years childcare workforce without a level 3 or higher qualification; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey collects information on staff working with children and young people. The number and proportion of early years child care staff without a level 3 and with at least a level 3 are detailed as follows:
	
		
			  Qualifications of staff across all types of providers 
			   Total childcare staff  (excluding childminders)  Total early years staff  Childminders  Total 
			   Percentage  Number( 1)  Percentage  Number( 1)  Percentage  Number( 1)  Percentage  Number( 1) 
			 At least level 3 65 204,100 79 68,000 41 24,300 64 294,400 
			 Do not have at least a level 3 qualification 35 109,900 21 18,100 59 35,600 36 165,600 
			 Total numbers(2) 100 314,100 100 86,000 100 59,800 100 459,900 
			 (1) Numbers provided are subject to rounding error as they have been calculated based on the known total number of staff (final row of table) within each category and the proportions of staff with at least a level 3 qualification. (2) Totals may not sum due to rounding.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service: Disciplinary Proceedings

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff of the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service have had internal disciplinary procedures opened against them in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 3 June 2009
	ACAS takes its responsibility as the originator of the Discipline and Grievance Code very seriously and is aware that it must act in accordance with its own Code. Its managers always attempt to resolve issues informally first. ACAS currently employs 892 people and the following are the numbers of internal disciplinary procedures that it has opened against staff in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Number of internal disciplinary procedures 
			 2008 4 
			 2007 5 
			 2006 5 
			 2005 1 
			 2004 0

Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service: Dismissal

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff of the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service have been dismissed before the scheduled end of a contract of employment in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 3 June 2009
	ACAS currently employs 892 people and takes its responsibilities as an advocate of good employment practices seriously. This means that if an individual has an expected end date to a contract, it will be an unusual occurrence for the contract to be terminated before that date. The following are the occasions where this has happened. Permanent staff are not included in these figures.
	
		
			   Number of staff 
			 2008 2 
			 2007 0 
			 2006 0 
			 2005 0 
			 2004 1

Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service: Industrial Health and Safety

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff of the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service have taken time off work as a result of a diagnosis of stress in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 3 June 2009
	ACAS currently employs 892 people. The number of staff who have taken time off for stress in the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of staff 
			 2004 45 
			 2005 95 
			 2006 67 
			 2007 94 
			 2008 76 
			 2009 20 
			  Notes:  1. The year is a calendar year. Some staff may have incurred more than one period of absence relating to stress within a year, however they have only been counted once for the purpose of this PQ.  2. Stress related absence—the information is based on the number of people who have their absence recorded as stress. 'Stress' comprises all types of stress, not just work related. Where people state the absence reason is stress and the cause for this is e.g. bereavement then bereavement is taken as the reason.

Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service: Industrial Relations

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff complaints against managers have been received by the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 3 June 2009
	ACAS currently employees 892 people. It takes its responsibilities as an advocate of good employment practices very seriously and thoroughly investigates any complaints it receives about its staff. The number of staff complaints against managers received by ACAS in each of the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			   Number of staff complaints 
			 2008 4 
			 2007 1 
			 2006 3 
			 2005 1 
			 2004 1

Cabinet: Glasgow

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.
	(2)  what expenditure on  (a) travel,  (b) accommodation and  (c) food was incurred by (i) the Secretary of State and (ii) officials in his Department in connection with the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009.

Patrick McFadden: For information relating to the Cabinet and public engagement event held in Glasgow on 16 April I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 June 2009,  Official Report, column 487W.

Departmental Air Conditioning

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many of his Department's buildings are equipped with air conditioning systems with output greater than 250kW; how many of these systems have been inspected under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 since the Regulations entered into force; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each inspection report.

Patrick McFadden: BIS's main headquarters building at 1 Victoria street is the only building on its HQ estate that is equipped with an air conditioning system with greater than 250 kW of output. An inspection of the system in accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections)(England and Wales) Regulations 2007 is currently under way and is due for completion by 31 May.
	The inspection results will be placed in both Libraries of the House.

Departmental Public Consultation

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 19 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1278W, on departmental public consultation, how many public consultations run by his Department in the last 12 months received  (a) no response,  (b) between one and 20 responses,  (c) between 21 and 50 responses,  (d) between 51 and 100 responses and  (e) over 100 responses; which consultations received no responses; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Of the 36 consultations reported in the answer of 19 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1278W:
	 (a) one consultation received no responses;
	 (b) nine received between one and 20 responses;
	 (c) 12 received between 21 and 50 responses;
	 (d) nine received between 51 and 100 responses; and
	 (e) five received over 100 responses.
	The number of responses received for individual consultations is recorded in the Government responses—these are published on the departmental website alongside the consultations themselves at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/
	The one consultation which received no responses was 01-07-08 Consultation on a technical amendment to the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2008.

Employment Tribunals Service

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many actions under employment law have been brought against his Department and its predecessor in each of the last three years; how many such actions were brought under each category of action; and how many such actions were contested by his Department at an employment tribunal.

Patrick McFadden: Since 2006 28 cases were lodged against the Department. We are unable to state the number in each category for reasons of confidentiality.
	However in general terms the categories of claim were:
	Age discrimination
	Breach of contract
	Disability Discrimination
	Equal treatment of agency
	Gender grounds
	Race discrimination
	Unfair dismissal
	Unfair selection for redundancy
	Public interest disclosure (whistle blowing)
	Some individuals lodged claims under more than one category.
	12 cases have proceeded to full hearing and were contested by the Department at employment tribunal. Four further cases remain pending.

Non-domestic Rates

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effects on business solvency and closures of levels of commercial rents.

Patrick McFadden: No assessment has been made by this Department of the effects on business solvency and closures of the level of commercial rents.
	While rent levels are a matter for the market, the Government are concerned to promote a fair and efficient commercial property leasing market, and to this end prompted the property industry to introduce a voluntary code of practice. They are monitoring the impact of the current version of the code, introduced in March 2007, and are looking to it to ensure that business tenants are better informed about leasing options.
	The code for leasing business premises is available at the following web address:
	http://www.leasingbusinesspremises.co.uk/

Parental Leave: Lone Parents and Low Incomes

John Bercow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the recommendations in the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Working Better report on the take-up of maternity and paternity leave by lone parents and parents on low incomes; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Government welcome the EHRC's contribution to the debate in this important area, and recognise the importance of ensuring mothers and fathers are both able to spend the time they need with their families, while also being able to balance work and family life. That is why we have progressively introduced a substantial package of measures to help working parents while recognising the needs of employers.
	From April 2007 all employed mothers have been eligible to take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave, of which 39 weeks are paid. We have also more than doubled the standard rate payable to those mothers from £55.70 in 1997 to £123.06 now. Longer and better paid maternity leave gives all mothers more choice about how much time to take off and 88 per cent. of mothers now take their full entitlement to paid leave(1).
	We have also introduced statutory paternity pay at the same standard rate as SMP. More than nine-tenths of fathers take time off around the time of their child's birth(2) of which seven tenths take two weeks or more.
	Government financial support including statutory maternity pay and statutory paternity pay is now worth at least £9,000 for many families during a child's first year, up from only £2,600 in 1997.
	(1 )Maternity rights and mothers employment decisions, 2008.
	(2 )Maternity rights and mothers employment decisions, 2008.

Public Houses: Manpower

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovations and Skills if he will assess the effect on employment in the beer and pub sector of trends in the level of alcohol sales from off-licences.

Patrick McFadden: This Department is aware that recent research within the sector indicates that employment in the beer and pub trade has been declining since 2006. We are working to ensure we can help all business in every way we can, so that they are well placed to benefit as soon as there is an improvement in economic circumstances. With effect from 1 March 2009, tied public houses became eligible to apply for Enterprise Finance Guarantee funding.

Public Houses: Manpower

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the net changes in the number of jobs in the brewing and public house sector in the last 12 months; and if he will take steps to safeguard jobs in this sector.

Patrick McFadden: This Department has not made any estimate of changes in the number of jobs in the brewing and public house sector in the last 12 months. The Department is aware that recent research undertaken within the brewing and public house sector indicates that employment in the beer and pub trade has been declining since 2006. We are working to restore greater confidence in our economy as a whole which should in itself help sectors such as this. With effect from 1 March 2009, tied public houses became eligible to apply for Enterprise Finance Guarantee funding.

Regeneration: Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what community-led physical regeneration projects each regional development agency funded in each year since 2000.

Patrick McFadden: The community-led physical regeneration projects shown in the following tables are national schemes comprising hundreds of individual grant awards. The cost of collecting data on each grant would incur disproportionate cost. Therefore, the projects have been grouped under broad titles such as "Single Regeneration Budget" or "Market Town Initiative" alongside their annual expenditure(1).
	(1) A number of schemes (e.g. SRB) ran for a finite period, and had expenditure profiles that matched the commitments entered into at the outset of the programme. These will vary from region to region, depending on the priorities and different approaches taken by the stakeholders.
	
		
			  Advantage West Midlands 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — — 25,007 21,146 16,487 12,733 11,686 25,783 4,851 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — — — 596 723 1,013 1,162 823 1,327 
			 Other — — 21 603 1,570 1,548 2,876 417 1,262 
			 Total — — 25,028 22,345 18,780 15,294 15,724 27,023 7,440 
		
	
	
		
			  East of England Development Agency 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — 40,792 8,864 13,296 5,410 3,521 1,160 367 3 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — 430 452 1,634 550 505 — — — 
			 Investing In Communities (IIC) — 65 115 1,940 3,178 3,731 2,037 8 — 
			 Economic Participation (EP) — 1,307 798 139 1,579 1,601 6,756 9,643 11,598 
			 Rural Renaissance — 430 452 1,634 550 505 — — — 
			 Building Communities Fund (BCF) — — — — — — — — 450 
			 Total — 43,024 10,681 18,643 11,267 9,863 9,953 10,018 12,051 
		
	
	
		
			  East Midlands Development Agency 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — — — 31,682 27,759 17,870 11,285 6,148 2,641 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — — 93 321 213 — — — — 
			 Urban Action Plan — — — 909 1,503 524 3,467 3,599 4,944 
			 Enterprising Communities — 147 778 4,131 1,738 3,983 2,048 3,488 1,353 
			 Total — 147 871 37,043 31,213 22,376 16,800 13,235 8,939 
		
	
	
		
			  London Development Agency 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — 97,144 119,967 104,498 76,011 43,603 40,633 21,032 5,029 
			 Total — 97,144 119,967 104,498 76,011 43,603 40,633 21,032 5,029 
		
	
	
		
			  North West Development Agency 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — 127,016 139,073 131,111 99,079 60,297 61,417 33,293 13,312 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — — — — 6 1,203 3,442 4,454 6,808 
			 Economic Regeneration Schemes — — — 1,684 10,352 18,091 31,968 38,962 46,576 
			 Social Enterprise Schemes — — — 342 759 529 815 1,507 497 
			 Rural Renaissance — — — 289 5,877 10,431 11,929 15,887 17,872 
			 Total — 127,016 139,073 133,426 116,073 90,551 109,571 94,103 85,065 
		
	
	
		
			  One North East 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) 78,235 78,422 84,771 82,719 59,225 35,907 22,352 5,816 1,469 
			 Community Investment Fund — — 57 — 36 — — — — 
			 Total 78,235 78,422 84,828 82,719 59,261 35,907 22,352 5,816 1,469 
		
	
	
		
			  South East England Development Agency 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — — — 18,434 24,713 13,074 10,574 3,482 160 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — — — 40 325 867 1,275 1,244 1,745 
			 Hastings — — 95 5,459 8,242 18,895 12,864 10,633 10,735 
			 Area Investment Framework — — — 2,893 3,406 8,909 12,073 14,078 13,689 
			 Total — — 95 26,826 36,686 41,745 36,786 29,437 26,319 
		
	
	
		
			  South West Regional Development Agency 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — — — 15,104 23,321 22,107 9,185 5,618 1,245 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — — — 497 932 1,365 2,002 1,425 2,488 
			 Rural Renaissance — — — 296 45 638 2,568 5,127 7,105 
			 Total — — — 15,897 24,928 24,110 13,755 12,170 10,838 
		
	
	
		
			  Yorkshire Forward 
			   Total scheme funding (£000) 
			  Community Regeneration Scheme  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) — — 118,933 112,160 92,044 63,121 36,304 27,982 11,606 
			 Market Town Initiative (MTI) — — 123 1,044 1,664 1,366 443 2,219 1,098 
			 Economic Participation (EP) — — 2,035 16,862 22,647 33,514 16,552 22,930 28,454 
			 Rural Renaissance — — 2,349 2,960 2,549 5,221 3,471 5,774 6,258 
			 Skills Programme — — — 1,845 9,300 18,392 17,413 18,041 21,460 
			 Total — — 123,440 134,871 128,204 121,614 74,183 76,946 68,876

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Computers

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1378, on departmental manpower, what expenditure his Department incurred  (a) in total and  (b) on the procurement of laptop computers under the Laptop Refresh project; how many laptops were procured under the project; by what means redundant laptops were disposed of under the project; for what reasons new laptops were required; how old on average were the laptops disposed of under the project; what the (i) brand and (ii) specification was of laptops purchased under the project; what the terms of reference for the project were; and if he will publish the project documentation supplied by the project manager.

Michael Foster: The total cost of the 2,400 laptops purchased under the Department for International Development (DFID) laptop refresh project was £1.8 million. Redundant laptops are given to Computeraid who distribute equipment to various projects across developing countries. All donated laptops have the data erased prior to donation and DFID receives confirmation that the equipment will eventually be disposed of in line with the waste of electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) guidelines. Approximately 90 per cent. of the redundant laptops were past the four year end of life recommendation.
	The new laptops were required as we were experiencing a high rate of failures with the previous models. We also had a requirement to standardise on a single model of laptop across the organisation.
	The laptops that were purchased under this project were Dell D630s and the specification was an 80gb hard drive, dual core processor 2.2 Ghz and 2GB of memory.
	The Terms of Reference for the Project Manager, the Project Initiation Document (PID) and the Project Approach Document will be placed in the Library.

Developing Countries: Infant Mortality

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of maternal mortality in the developing world.

Ivan Lewis: In June 2008 the UK Government announced a commitment to spend £6 billion on improving health systems and services over seven years to 2015. The UK Government are working to accelerate progress on the reproductive and maternal health MDGs. The Prime Minister is co-chairing the High-Level Task Force on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems, which will raise additional funds for health systems and make a significant contribution to improving maternal health.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is working to achieve consensus with international partners on priority action to improve maternal and newborn health. This will provide a framework for action at global, national and sub-national levels. It also recognises the need to align the current international momentum in politics, advocacy and finance behind a commonly agreed set of policies and priority interventions to accelerate progress on maternal health at country level. Further information on DFID's work on maternal mortality is available on the DFID website at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Global-Issues/How-we-fight-Poverty/Health/Maternal-Health/

Iraq: Economic Growth

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps his Department has taken to assist the economic development of Iraq.

Michael Foster: The UK Government have worked to increase Iraq's capacity to attract inward investment, which will further stimulate growth, prompt further reforms and facilitate skills transfer. Since April 2008 the UK Government have:
	Facilitated over 30 visits by potential international investors, leading to proposals for investment in Iraq worth over $10 billion.
	Helped establish the Basra Investment Commission, which is now leading on investment promotion for southern Iraq. We have also provided technical assistance to the National Investment Commission, with which the UK has arranged four large investment conferences: including in London in April 2008 and April 2009, Kuwait in June 2008 and Istanbul in December 2008.
	Going forward, the UK Government have:
	Agreed funding to help ensure that 1,000 small enterprises in southern Iraq can access the credit they need to expand their businesses.
	Initiated a pilot youth vocational training and employment programme for 500 youths with the Ministry of Labour in Basra. This innovative programme should provide an employment model more widely in Iraq.
	The Department for International Development's (DFID) existing programme with the World Bank is improving public financial management in the centre of government. The UK and the World Bank have also established a major new programme to help the Government of Iraq tackle the constraints to private sector development.
	Capacity building support by the UK Government has enabled the Basra Provincial Council to:
	Increase its budget from $23.5 million in 2006 to over $300 million in 2008; improve budget execution from 10 per cent. in 2006 to 50 per cent. in 2008; and manage over 800 development projects worth $650 million since 2006.
	Produced the first report of its type in Iraq, on Provincial Reconstruction and Development Activities for 2007—demonstrating their focus on transparency and accountability.

Nepal

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what analysis his Department has carried out on the potential effect on levels of  (a) remittances,  (b) resettlement and  (c) development aid for Nepal if all former Gurkha soldiers and their dependants were granted equality with UK equivalents.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not carried out analysis of the impact on remittances and resettlement if all former Gurkha soldiers and their dependants were granted equality with their UK equivalents.
	The British Government have committed over £172 million in development assistance for Nepal over the next three financial years 2009-10 to 2011-12. This will be spent on supporting the peace process, improving governance, services, growth and jobs and in the fight against climate change.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) reconstruction and  (b) development projects are being funded in Gaza (i) by his Department, (ii) through the European Union and (iii) through the United Nations; how much funding his Department is providing for projects in Gaza in 2009-10; and how much he plans to provide for such projects in (A) 2010-11 and (B) 2011-12.

Michael Foster: Since the start of the current conflict the UK Government have pledged nearly £47 million to help the people of Gaza, of which we have committed over £20 million. A summary of projects supported by this funding is available on the DFID website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk
	Many of the projects funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) cover both the West Bank and Gaza and so it is not possible to give figures for Gaza alone. In recent years DFID bilateral funding to the Occupied Palestinian Territories has increased from an average of £15.7 million for financial years 2000-01 to 2006-07 to over £60 million in financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09. Detailed figures of DFID expenditure are included in the DFID annual report and the Statistics on International Development document. These are available in the Library of the House and on the DFID website.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which businesses in Gaza have been awarded grants through the Facility for New Market Development; and what assessment he has made of the merits of expanding the scheme.

Michael Foster: Since its launch last year, the Facility for New Market Development (FNMD) has awarded grants to 19 individual businesses in Gaza, from a wide range of sectors. A further three grants have been awarded to clusters of businesses. A full list of the businesses that have received grants will be placed in the Library.
	FNMD is a demand-led programme, and its expansion is therefore dependent on requests from businesses. Demand from Gaza is expected to rise significantly as soon as restrictions on movement and access are lifted, and the facility stands ready to respond.

River Nile: Film

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2009, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Nile Basin documentary film produced by Wild Dog Ltd. with funding from his Department.

Gareth Thomas: A copy of the Nile Basin Documentary Film will be placed in the Library of the House.

St. Helena: Shipping

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost of maintaining the RMS St. Helena service to St. Helena was in each year since 2000; and what the projected cost is for each year to 2020.

Michael Foster: We have been advised that it would not be economic to maintain operations of the RMS St. Helena beyond around 2015 or 2016. The following table shows operating costs between 2001-02 and 2007-08.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Total operating cost (including DFID operating subsidy)  Maintenance/repair cost  DFID operating subsidy 
			 2001-02 5,404,060 463,000 1,931,066 
			 2002-03 5,810,900 512,000 1,405,443 
			 2003-04 4,846,200 939,000 1,469,127 
			 2004-05 6,295,280 556,000 2,511,597 
			 2005-06 6,439,830 540,000 2,337,879 
			 2006-07 6,986,200 (1)925,000 3,056,000 
			 2007-08 6,744,000 707,000 2,728,137 
			 (1) Includes dry dock. 
		
	
	We would expect this trend in operating costs and subsidy to continue, with an increase to cover an annual dry dock required to maintain safety certification, and with additional expenditure of about £2.5 million to refurbish the engines and replace essential steelwork.